Cedar Creek Natural History Area

Plants of Cedar Creek

    The sole representative of the Yew Family is Taxus canadensis (Canada Yew).  This low growing shrub can be distinguished from balsam fir by the yellow stomatal lines found on the underside of the flat needles and the red aril-like "berry" that surrounds a single, brown seed.  All parts of the plant, with the possible exception of the aril, are poisonous and should not be ingested.  At Cedar Creek this species occurs in the SW corner of Crone’s Knoll and Katie's Knoll, and sporadically in lowland woods and cedar swamp.  It is a favored winter browse plant of white-tailed deer.