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Canadian Yew, Taxus Canadensis Marsh.
Taxaceae

Straggling evergreen shrub.

Height: Usually less than 1.5 m. Often forms patches or colonies.

Twigs: Smooth, flexible. Winter buds consist of many overlapping, sharp-pointed greenish scales.

Leaves: Flat, linear, needle-like, sharp-pointed, usually less than 2.5 cm long. Dark green and shiny above, yellowish-green beneath. Mid-rib prominent on both sides. Leaves have distinct stalks, narrow at base and extending down the twig. Leaves spirally arranged around twig, but stalks twisted to form a flat spray.

Flowers: Small, single in leaf axels. Male flowers are a stalked cluster of stamens, female flowers are erect, green, scaly structures. Both sexes usually on same plant. Flowers present throughout the spring, usually blooming in May.

Fruit: Cup-like, bright red, waxy structures containing a single, dark green seed. Ripen in August, Fleshy red portion of the fruit is edible, but seed is poisonous.

Habitat: Moist, coniferous woods, bog edges, along stream banks throughout Newfoundland. Has not been recorded in Labrador.

This shrub is locally called palm and is sometimes used to decorate the table on Palm Sunday.

Source: Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador
By A. Glen Ryan

Used with permission from
Parks and Natural Areas Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1995