186 THE CULTIVATED EVERGREENS 



A. Scales of winter-buds obtuse, not keeled. 



B. Leaves gradually acuminate: bud-scales persistent 1. T. baccata 



BB. Leaves abruptly pointed : bud-scales deciduous 2. T. chinensis 



AA. Scales of Avinter-buds acute or acutish, keeled, persistent: leaves 

 abruptly pointed. 



B. Leaves j^ to jV inch broad, with prominent midrib above 3. T. cuspidafa 



BB. Leaves ^f inch or less broad, with slightly elevated mid- 

 rib above. 



c. Seed broader than high: low shrub 4. T. canadensis 



cc. Seed ovoid: small tree 5. T. brevifolia 



1. T. baccata, L. English Yew. Tree attaining 60 feet, with a usually 

 short trunk, occasionally 8 feet or more in diameter; bark reddish, flaky, 

 deeply fissured in old trees; branches spreading, forming a broad low head; 

 branchlets usually remaining green the second year, somewhat pendulous: 

 leaves 2-ranked, linear and usually falcate, shortly acuminate, with promi- 

 nent midrib, dark green above, pale beneath, ^^-l3^ inches long or shorter in 

 some varieties: fruit }/i-}/2 inch across, ripening in September and October, 

 the aril almost globose, about a third longer than the broadly ellipsoid 

 brown seed and with an opening about as wide as the seed which is slightly 

 compressed, slightly 2-, rarely 3-4-angled and 34 inch long, with an oval 

 hilum. Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. — Planted for ornament, 

 particularly in English churchyards, since very early times and many vener- 

 able yews of great age are known in England. Hardy as far north as New 

 York City and some forms in sheltered places as far north as Massachusetts. 

 Many garden forms have originated in cultivation and the following are 

 sometimes met with in American gardens: 



Var. lutea, Endl. (var. frudu luteo, Hort., f. luteo-baccata, Pilger). 

 Yellov^tberry Y. With yellow fruit, otherwise like the type. Discovered in 

 1817 in England, introduced into cultivation about 1838. 



Var. aurea, Carr. (var. elvastonensis aurea, Beiss.). Golden English 

 Y. Leaves golden-yellow, more brightly colored at the tips and margin. 

 This form has proved hardier than the type in New England. Var. Wash- 

 ingtoni, Beiss. (var. Washingtoni aurea, Hort.). Washington Y. A form 

 of wide-spreading habit with the leaves golden-yellow, particularly on the 

 under side. Var. elegantissima, Beiss. (var. aurea elegantissima, Hort.). A 

 vigorous form of dense and compact habit, occasionally more open, with the 

 young leaves striped pale yellow, the older ones with whitish margin. Var. 

 semperaurea, Dallimore (var. ereda semperaurea, Beiss.). A form of rather 

 low growth, the leaves retaining their yellow color the second year. Var. 

 variegata, West. (var. argentea. Loud.). Variegated English Y. Leaves 

 with white or whitish variegation. 



Var. glauca, Carr. A more vigorous form with ascending branches and 

 with longer leaves bluish-green below, particularly when young. 



