Irish Yew

Botanical Name: 
Taxus baccata 'Stricta'
Family: 
Yew Family (Taxaceae)
Origin: 
The variety 'Stricta' is of horticultural origin, and the species Taxus baccata is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western. Asia
At Hearst Castle: 
One on either side of the sarcophagus below the Three Graces across from the main door to La Casa del Mar.
Comments: 
Irish Yews are very drought tolerant once established. In general, yews are more formal, darker green, and more tolerant of shade and moisture than most cultivated conifers. In dry regions they are subject to spider-mites. The wood is valuable for carving and has often been used for bows. Yews are excellent landscape subjects and may be used as a formal hedge or for topiary work. The word "taxus" is the ancient Latin name for the yew.
Description: 
Evergreen, conifer shrub or tree forming a column of very dark green. Slow growing to 20 feet with needle-like leaves 1-2 inches long (larger and darker than those of the English Yew, T. baccata ). Tree is densely branched. Although a conifer (does not have true flowers), the "cone" is actually like a reddish berry, about half an inch across; the seeds are poisonous.