Taxus floridana

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Taxus floridana

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]

Imperiled  (NatureServe)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order:
Cupressales
Family: Taxaceae
Genus: Taxus
Species:
T. floridana
Binomial name
Taxus floridana
Natural range

Taxus floridana, the Florida yew,

Nature Conservancy's Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve, and has legal protection under the United States
and Florida Endangered Species laws.

Description

It is an

dioecious, with the male and female cones on separate plants; the seed cone is highly modified, berry-like, with a single scale developing into a soft, juicy red aril 1 cm diameter, containing a single dark brown seed 5–6 mm long and occur singly on few leaf axils. The pollen cones are globose, 4 mm diameter, produced on the undersides of the shoots in early spring.[4][6][7]

It occurs in the same region as the also-rare Torreya taxifolia and is similar to it in general appearance, but can be differentiated by the shorter, blunt-tipped (not spine-tipped) leaves and the less strong smell of the crushed leaves. Distinction from other yew species is more difficult, and like most yews it has sometimes been treated as a subspecies of Taxus baccata, as T. baccata subsp. floridana (Nutt. ex Chapm.) Pilger.[8]

Ecology

Taxus floridana grows slowly, and prefers slightly acidic soil and partial shade on moderate north-facing slopes and 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.[7][9] 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.[7][1]

Uses

The bark contains paclitaxel, a mitotic inhibitor used to combat numerous forms of cancer. The seeds and leaves, however, are poisonous to humans if consumed.[10]

Threats

White-tailed deer rubbing and browsing particularly on small stems, being a source of food for beavers, and occurring in areas subject to logging and development are all potential threats to the few existing populations.[7][1] Threats of habitat degradation and reduced regeneration capabilities are the most prominent issue, which have resulted in no new recruitment in the past few decades, greatly affecting population demographics.[1] There are a couple of populations located on unprotected private lands, which are particularly susceptible.[11]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T30965A9584928.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.155628/Taxus_floridana
  3. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Taxus floridana". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  4. ^ a b Flora of North America: Taxus floridana
  5. ^ Kurz, Herman (1927). "A NEW AND REMARKABLE HABITAT FOR THE ENDEMIC FLORIDA YEW". Torreya. 27: 90–92.
  6. ISBN 0-7470-2801-X
    .
  7. ^ a b c d "Taxus floridana". www.fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  8. ISBN 1-900347-54-7
    .
  9. JSTOR 2997244
    .
  10. ISBN 0-394-50760-6
    .
  11. ^ "Florida yew | United States Botanic Garden". www.usbg.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
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