Question: Here’s a closeup picture RE: Japanese yew tree. Taxus cuspidata? Posted yesterday What do you mean by “pollen-bearing and seed-bearing …
-
Question
Here’s a closeup picture RE: Japanese yew tree. Taxus cuspidata? Posted yesterday What do you mean by “pollen-bearing and seed-bearing organs are on different plants”?
Answer
Dear Tracey4367, good morning. From what I can see in the image, the plants are consistent with Taxus cuspidata. However, there are so many forms and hybrids that are part of the horticultural trade that it would be difficult to be 100% confident of this identification. Dioecious plants separate the pollen-bearing structures from the seed-bearing structures on different plants (analagous to humans have male and female individuals). It is likely your plant won't ever produce seeds (assuming it is a staminate individual). Many species of gymnosperms have both organs on the same plant (they are monoecious, rather than dioecious). If you still have questions, look up those terms on the web and you will find more discussion about these plant strategies for reproduction. Best wishes.
