![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/8c0587e7-93d7-43fa-be1b-d395397fc7d7/443cac6b-5acd-4fb7-ac07-f12154ca87f6_rw_1920.jpg?h=fc8f7a088902a37eb28cd026b39c8747)
“Taxus” is a genus of small coniferous trees or shrubs in the yew family Taxaceae. They are relatively slow-growing and can be very long-lived. This particularly yew, taxus canadensis is native to central and eastern North America. It came from the courtyard in front of Martha van Rensselaer Hall on Cornell University campus. A large hedge of yew defined the south edge of the courtyard but these were cut down in 2000 to make way for the present Belkin Courtyard.