EED OR EEDDISH PURPLE 



AMERICAN YEW 



Taxus minor. Taxus Canadensis Tevr 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 aroimd the branches. 



Floivers. — 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 



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