Yew

Taxus

The Yew is a small evergreen tree with dark green leaves. It's often found in gardens and can grow into interesting shapes.

Habitat: Gardens and parks

Appearance

The Yew has dark green, flattened, needle-like leaves that are glossy and arranged spirally. Its most distinctive feature is the bright red, fleshy, cup-shaped 'aril' that surrounds a single, hard seed, rather than a typical cone. The bark is reddish-brown and scaly.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyTaxaceaeGenusTaxus

Yew

Interesting facts

Even though its bright red 'berries' look tasty, the seed inside is deadly!

Scientists extract special ingredients from Yew to make medicines that fight cancer.

Some Yew trees are older than the Egyptian pyramids, silently watching history unfold!

Yew wood is super strong and flexible, prized for making powerful longbows!

Special abilities

Yew can live for thousands of years, making it one of the longest-living plants, helping it survive many environmental changes.

Yew has deadly toxins in its leaves and seeds, which protects it from most hungry herbivores and pests.

Yew has bright red, sweet arils (not true berries) that attract birds, helping it spread its seeds far away.

Measurements & details

Height: 100-2800 cm
Spread: 100-1500 cm
Flower Size: 0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Late winter to early spring
Is Edible: No
Toxicity: Deadly
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

eats

Blackbird

Turdus merula

consumes the fleshy aril, helping to disperse its seeds unharmed.

parasitizes

Yew Gall Midge

Taxomyia taxi

creates distinctive artichoke-like galls on new Yew shoots.

depends on

Turkey Tail Fungus

Trametes versicolor

decomposes dead Yew wood, returning nutrients to the soil.

Traits

Coniferous

Imagine trees with needles instead of flat leaves and special cones that hold their seeds. These evergreens bring green to the forest all year long!

Evergreen

These wonderful plants keep their leaves or needles all year round, providing beautiful green scenery even in the chilliest months. They stay green forever!