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Taxus floridana
Florida yew is a rare, slow-growing evergreen conifer, native only to a small stretch of the Apalachicola River in northern Florida. It is grown mainly as a shade-tolerant tree or shrub in gardens, and it needs well-drained, slightly acidic soil and partial shade.
Taxus floridana, the Florida yew, is a species of yew, endemic to a small area of the Apalachicola River. This species has a restricted extent of occurrence of 24km along the Apalachicola River and resides in the mesophytic forests of northern Florida at altitudes of 15–40 m. It is internationally listed as critically endangered, with a declining population. Although this species was previously listed in the Florida endangered species program, it no longer has legal protection under the U.S. or state endangered species programs. However, the bulk of its very limited historically native range is in protective status at Torreya State Park and the adjacent Nature Conservancy's Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve.
Taxus floridana grows slowly, and prefers slightly acidic, well drained soil and partial shade. It is highly fire sensitive as well as shade tolerant. Potential influences on their distribution include variation of soil, aspect, and moisture. There is no indicator species associated with it. It is hardy to USDA zone 8. It can be grown from cuttings or seeds. Seed scarification is required for germination and it persists through layering and sprouting. Birds feed on their cones and excavate stems for insects.
The bark contains paclitaxel, a mitotic inhibitor used to combat numerous forms of cancer. The inhibitor is called Taxol, but scientists have found new evidence that suggests the taxol is actually produced by the fungus that lives on the Florida yew. The seeds and leaves, however, are poisonous to humans if consumed.
European Yew · Pacific Yew · Canadian Yew · Himalayan Yew · Chinese Yew · Himalayan Yew · Japanese Yew · Mexican Yew · Maire's yew · Taiwan yew · Himalayan Yew · Yew
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Taxus floridana by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.
