[Conifers of the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Pacific Yew, Western Yew

Taxus brevifolia

Synonyms: Taxus baccata ssp. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. canadensis, Taxus lindleyana, Taxux bourcieri

Lower needle surfaces of Pacific Yew, Western Yew: Taxus brevifolia (Synonyms: Taxus baccata ssp. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. canadensis, Taxus lindleyana, Taxux bourcieri) - Upper needle surfaces of Pacific Yew, Western Yew: Taxus brevifolia (Synonyms: Taxus baccata ssp. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. canadensis, Taxus lindleyana, Taxux bourcieri)

Pacific yew as seen on Hardy Ridge, Beacon Rock State Park.........April 20, 2015.

Upper needle surfaces of Pacific Yew, Western Yew: Taxus brevifolia (Synonyms: Taxus baccata ssp. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. canadensis, Taxus lindleyana, Taxux bourcieri)

The scan above shows the upper surface of the needles of Pacific yew.

Lower needle surfaces of Pacific Yew, Western Yew: Taxus brevifolia (Synonyms: Taxus baccata ssp. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. brevifolia, Taxus baccata var. canadensis, Taxus lindleyana, Taxux bourcieri)
The scan above shows a close-up of the lower needle surface of Pacific yew. The ventral needle surfaces of Pacific yew lack the grayish to white stomatal bloom that is characteristic of other flat-needle conifers found on the mountain.

Paul Slichter