American yew

plant, Taxus canadensis

Also known as: Canada yew, Taxus canadensis, creeping hemlock, dwarf yew, ground hemlock

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Also called:: Canada yew, dwarf yew, ground hemlock, or creeping hemlock

Related Topics:: yew

See all related content

American yew, (Taxus canadensis), a prostrate, straggling evergreen shrub of the family Taxaceae, found in northeastern North America. American yew also is a lumber trade name for the Pacific yew. The American yew, the hardiest of the yew species, provides excellent ground cover in forested areas. Usually growing about 1 metre (3 feet) high, it has small yellowish green leaves that taper abruptly to a tiny point.

This article was most recently revised and updated by William L. Hosch.