Yew

Yew

Taxonomic diagram of the Taxaceae family

Yews are coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus Taxus, belonging to the family Taxaceae. They are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Yews are known for their distinctive red berries and evergreen foliage.

Description

Yews are typically small to medium-sized evergreen trees or shrubs. They have a slow growth rate and can live for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years. The leaves are lanceolate, flat, and dark green, arranged spirally on the stem but twisted at the base to lie in two flat rows on either side of the stem.

The seeds of yews are enclosed in a fleshy, red aril, which is open at the tip. This aril is the only part of the plant that is not toxic, as the rest of the plant contains toxic alkaloids known as taxines.

Species

The genus Taxus includes several species, the most notable being:

• Taxus baccata - European yew
• Taxus brevifolia - Pacific yew
• Taxus canadensis - Canadian yew
• Taxus cuspidata - Japanese yew
• Taxus globosa - Mexican yew

Foliage of Taxus globosa

Uses

Yews have been used for various purposes throughout history. The wood is hard and dense, making it suitable for making longbows, furniture, and other wooden implements. The most famous historical use of yew wood was in the construction of the English longbow.

In modern times, yews are valued for their ornamental qualities and are commonly used in landscaping and topiary. They are also significant in the pharmaceutical industry; the bark of the Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) is a source of paclitaxel, a chemotherapy drug used in cancer treatment.

Toxicity

All parts of the yew plant, except for the aril, are toxic if ingested. The primary toxic compounds are alkaloids known as taxines, which can cause severe symptoms, including cardiac arrest, if consumed in sufficient quantities. Despite this, the bright red arils are consumed by birds, which help in seed dispersal.

Conservation

Some species of yew, such as the Pacific yew, have been overharvested for their bark due to the demand for paclitaxel. Conservation efforts are in place to protect these species and ensure sustainable harvesting practices.

Related pages

• Conifer
• Taxaceae
• Evergreen
• Paclitaxel