Florida yew
Taxus floridana
Last reviewed: October 2026
Florida yew (Taxus floridana) is a perennial tree native to FL. It blooms in February and March.
Florida yew is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Florida yew is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
shade
Water
medium
Size
180"–300" H × 120"–180" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar
Native to
FL
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Slow-growing evergreen tree with soft, flat, dark green needles and a dense, pyramidal form. Found on shaded ravine slopes along a single river system, making it one of the rarest conifers in North America.
Growing Florida yew
Grow Florida yew in shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 180 to 300 inches tall and spread 120 to 180 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Red, fleshy arils are eaten by birds, though the seeds and foliage are toxic to most mammals; dense evergreen cover provides year-round shelter.
Common questions
- How much sun does Florida yew need?
- Florida yew grows best in shade conditions.
- When does Florida yew bloom?
- Florida yew blooms in February and March.
- Where is Florida yew native?
- Florida yew (Taxus floridana) is native to FL, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Florida yew toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Florida yew is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Florida yew toxic to cats?
- Yes. Florida yew is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Florida yew and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.