Identification:
Leaves—evergreen, single, spirally arranged, generally flat, dark green and shiny above, tip pointed, yellow or pale green below
Twigs—light green turns brown, green buds and blunt scales
Flowers—dioecious, small, round, yellow, and borne under leaves
Fruit—naked ovoid seed, surrounded by bright red, fleshy aril
Bark—brown with scales
Hover over one of the descriptions to see an example.
Natural History:
Lifespan—At least 20 years
General description—Small tree or large shrub to 25 feet, with many-limbed boles and a short trunk
Natural distribution and habitat—N/A
Conservation status—N/A
Uses—In addition to its decorative and functional use in landscaping, the genus has received a great deal of attention because its bark contains cancer-fighting, chemical compounds used as key ingredients in a chemotherapy drug known as Taxol.