RED OR REDDISH PURPLE 



AMERICAN YEW 



Taxus minor. Taxus Canadensis Yew Family 



Fruit. The fruit is drupelike ; the hard, 

 bony, dark-colored, oval seed being nearly in- 

 closed in a red, pulpy cup, which is the devel- 

 oped fleshy flower disk. The drupe is solitary, 

 growing at the end or the side of the branches. 

 It is bracted at the base. 



Leaves. The leaves are about half an inch 

 long, pointed, and green on both sides. They 

 are arranged spirally around the branches. 



Flowers. The flowers are mostly dioecious. 

 The fertile ones, are solitary, and the sterile ones 

 consist of a few naked stamens. April, May. 



This low shrub has spreading, crooked 

 branches. It delights in a shaded situation, 

 especially favoring the shelter of evergreens. 

 It is sometimes called Ground Hemlock from its 

 resemblance to young hemlock growths. The 



