Yew
ExplorePlants
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
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Ancient Witness
Yew can live for thousands of years, making it one of the longest-living plants, helping it survive many environmental changes.
Ability
Poisonous Shield
Yew has deadly toxins in its leaves and seeds, which protects it from most hungry herbivores and pests.
Ability
Berry Lure
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
- 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
Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
English YewEuropean YewYew Treeyew family
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Yew?
100-2800 cm
How wide does Yew spread?
100-1500 cm
How big are the flowers on Yew?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Yew bloom?
Late winter to early spring
Is Yew edible?
No
Is Yew toxic?
Deadly
What is Yew's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Yew pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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