This evergreen conifer is Japanese Yew, Podocarpus macrophyllus. It is also called Yew Pine or Buddhist Pine. Despite those common names, it is neither a true yew nor a true pine. It belongs to the podocarp family, Podocarpaceae, an ancient group of conifers found mainly in warmer parts of the world.

The species is native to southern China and Japan, but it has been planted widely in tropical and subtropical gardens because it is attractive, long-lived and tolerant of pruning.

Japanese Yew may grow as a large shrub or eventually become a small to medium-sized tree. When left untrimmed, it develops a dense, upright crown with branches that may extend nearly to the ground. It is also commonly pruned into hedges, screens and formal shapes.

The leaves are long, narrow and leathery, with smooth edges and a prominent central vein. They resemble broad needles, but they are flatter and softer than the needles of many familiar conifers. The species name macrophyllus means “large-leaved,” referring to their size compared with the leaves of many other podocarps.

The tree does not produce ordinary flowers or fruits. Male plants bear small pollen-producing cones, often in clusters. Female plants produce individual seeds rather than the familiar woody cones associated with pines.

The seed develops above a swollen, fleshy structure that changes from green to reddish or purple as it matures. Together, the dark seed and colorful base may resemble a small berry, although botanically it is not a true fruit.

Birds are attracted to the fleshy structure and can help disperse the seeds. Visitors, however, should not sample them. The seed and foliage contain compounds that may be harmful, and unfamiliar ornamental plants should never be assumed safe to eat.

Japanese Yew is often chosen for formal landscapes because its dense, dark-green foliage responds well to clipping. It can be shaped into columns, hedges or small trees, although an unpruned specimen reveals a much looser and more natural form.

It is relatively tolerant of shade, urban conditions and a range of soils once established. Its flexibility as both a specimen tree and a clipped hedge has made it one of the most widely planted podocarps.

This plant is a good example of how common names can be misleading. It looks somewhat like a yew and is sometimes called a pine, but it belongs to a separate and very ancient conifer family.

When looking closely, the best features to notice are the flat, strap-like leaves and, on a mature female plant, the unusual dark seeds resting above their colorful fleshy bases.