Image: Wikimedia Commons (See link for license)
Japanese Yew
Taxus cuspidata
イチイ
An evergreen conifer native to Japanese mountains, distributed from Hokkaido to the subalpine zone of Honshu. Distinguished by red arils (edible, but the seeds are toxic). Long-lived, its name derives from its wood being used for 'ichii' (the highest court rank) scepters.
Identification Points
- ✓Leaves linear, arranged in 2 ranks (pale green stomatal bands on the underside)
- ✓Red, raspberry-like arils in autumn
- ✓A gymnosperm that does not produce cones
Habitat
Montane to subalpine forests, and gardens (cultivated)
Season
September–October (fruits)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Leaf shape
Linear
Habitat
Mountain
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Parallel
Leaf margin
Entire
Petal fusion
No petals
Stipules
Absent
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Dioecious
Phylogenetic Positionイチイ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Gymnosperms > Conifers > Pinales > Taxaceae
Divergence Era
Mesozoic Jurassic (approx. 180 million years ago onward)
Evolution Notes
Taxaceae is a gymnosperm lineage that does not produce cones, instead bearing seeds enclosed in fleshy arils. Also known as the source of taxol, an anticancer drug.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification