Taxus canadensis Marshall. Canada Yew, American Yew. Phen: Apr-May. Hab: Cliffs, bluffs, and rocky slopes over calcareous or mafic rocks, red spruce and hemlock swamps and bogs. Dist: NL (Newfoundland), NL (Labrador), MN, and s. MB south to nw. NC, ne. TN, KY, and IA.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Other Comments: Taxus was first found in NC in 1968 (McDowell 1969). In our area, Taxus occurs primarily on limestone and mafic bluffs, but at its southernmost site in the hanging valley of Long Hope Creek (Ashe and Watauga counties, NC), Taxus is found in red spruce swamps and fen edges (over mafic substrates), where it is locally common. Deer have a devastating effect on populations of this species in our area.

Synonymy: = C, F, FNA2, G, Il, K1, K3, K4, Mi, NY, Pa, Tn, Va, W, WV, Farjon (1998), Möller et al (2020); = n/a – RAB, Tat; = Taxus baccata L. ssp. canadensis (Marshall) Pilg.; > Taxus canadensis Marshall var. adpressa (Carrière) Spjut – Spjut (2007a), Spjut (2007b); > Taxus canadensis Marshall var. canadensis – Spjut (2007a), Spjut (2007b); > Taxus canadensis Marshall var. minor (Michx.) Spujt – Spjut (2007a), Spjut (2007b)

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
• Great Plains: FAC
• Midwest: FACU
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily: 3