Taxus verticillata Thunberg in Murray, Syst. Veg., ed. 14, 895. 1784.

Trees to 40 m tall; trunk to 3 m d.b.h.; branches ± whorled, spreading at ca. 90° to trunk. Scalelike leaves triangular, 3-6 mm; connate leaves linear, 8-12 × 2.5-3 mm, with 2 white stomatal bands along middle furrow abaxially. Pollen cones ovoid, ca. 1.2 cm, shortly stipitate. Seed cones narrowly ovoid, 8-12 × ca. 2.5 cm; cone scales broadly cuneate or fan-shaped, margin thin, reflexed, apex broadly rounded; bracts with triangular, recurved, free apex. Seeds oblong or elliptic, flat, 8-12 × ca. 8 mm.

Cultivated as an ornamental and for timber: Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong, Zhejiang [native to Japan].