Taxus spp

McKenzie WaltersNovember 3, 2014

Period: 3 or 4

Common Name

• Yew (Taxus spp.)

Latin Name

• Taxus spp and cv• Due to many different species and cultivars of

yew’s.• Ex.• Taxus canadensis• Taxus baccata

• Hardiness Zone: 6-7 mostly but occasionally 5-9

• Plant Type: Shrub or Tree• Evergreen • Geographic Origin: Native to Europe, West

Asia, and North Africa

• Height: Up to 60 Feet• Spread: 15- 25 Feet• Sun exposure (Light vs Shade): Full Sun to par

shade.• Water Requirements: Not much, xerophyte.

Lanscape

• Site Requirement: Well drained soil • Maintenance: Pruning twice a year• Noteworthy Characteristics: Some species

have poisonous berries. Soft needle like leaves.

• Landscape Uses: attracts bee’s and butterflies

Pest

• Pest or other problems noted• Attracts bees• tortrix moth• vine weevil• gall mites • scale insects

Taxus spp. And cv.

Taxus spp and cv

1

• All parts, except the flesh of the berries, contain taxin(e) a complex of alkaloids which is rapidly absorbed.

• 3mm Also present are ephedrine, a cyanogenic glycoside (taxiphyllin) and a volatile oil.

Poisonous

• Evergreen needles 1 “ long• Single, spirally arranged but appearing 2-

ranked on shaded branches• Needles typically angled upward forming a V-

shape on branch• Dark green and shiny above, yellow or pale

green below with 8-10 stomatal rows.

Leaf

Taxus spp.

• evergreen shrub or small tree• slow growing and long-lived • twigs are smooth, reddish-brown, and very

hard• arils (red berry-like structures) contain seeds

that are poisonous to animals; human stomachs can break down the seed coat and therefore are not harmed by consumption of arils

• It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade

• Used for medicinal purposes (Ex. Cancer)• Link: http://

www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Taxus+baccata

Yews come in many shapes and sizes

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References

• http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/taxus_baccata.htm

• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=TABA80

• http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/taxus-baccata-common-yew

• https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/18001/Taxus-baccata/Details