(Taxus cuspidata)
Family: Taxaceae
Description
An evergreen, single trunk tree or multi-stemmed shrub. Height can be from 10–40 ft. (3.5–14 m) tall. Growth varies from broad to narrow, spreading to upright, and flat-topped to pyramidal. Bark is reddish-brown and scaly. Leaves are 0.5–1 in. (1.3–2.5 cm) long, 0.1 in. (0.25 cm) wide. They are needle-like, dull green on top, paler green beneath. Male and female flowers are found on separate plants (dioecious). Fruit is a hard seed covered by a red aril.
Habitat
Native to Japan, Korea, and Manchuria. Non-native to New Mexico.
Discussion
This introduced species has demonstrated an invasive tendency in Connecticut. This means it may escape from cultivation and naturalize in the environment.