Species: Taxus brevifolia

Extremely shade tolerant. Usually found in the understory of dense coniferous forests, where growth rates are extremely slow. It apparently requires shade for establishment, but older trees are able to adapt to overstory removal (Crawford, 1983). Moisture requirements are fairly high and, in drier areas, it is limited to streamsides, seepsides, and shady, north-facing slope bottoms. (Bolsinger and Jaramillo 1990). Common associates in more mesic situations (where most of the trees are found) include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Berberis nervosa, Polystichum munitum, and Acer circinatum (Bolsinger and Jaramillo 1990). Tolerates a wide range of temperature conditions. Elevations range from sea level to 2440 m at the southern end of its range, in the Sierra Nevada (Bolsinger and Jaramillo 1990)