SELF-FERTILITY IN CANADA YEW (TAXUS-CANADENSIS MARSH)

Self-fertility was examined in a Canada yew (Taxus canadensis) population in southeastern Minnesota. Bagged yew branches and unbagged control branches showed no significant differences in seed production, proportion of pollinated seeds that matured, or seed masses. Greater than 99% of male strobili were located on current growth, but a significant proportion of female strobili (>33%) were located on growth two years or older. There was no consistent trend in location of these strobilus types on higher or lower branches. Results from other studies examining consequences of monoecy in Canada yew support the conclusions of this study that Canada yew is self-fertile and that self-pollination enhances seed production when pollen is limiting.