How to identify Common yew (Taxus baccata)
Common yew, also known as Yew
Common yew is characterized as an evergreen coniferous tree or shrub, notable for its wide-spreading branches and a mature stature revealing scaly, reddish-brown bark. It boasts shiny, dark green needle-like leaves, each spanning approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.3 to 3.8 cm) in length, contrasted by a yellowish-green underside. Male specimens display non-seed-bearing, yellowish cones at the leaf axils, whereas female counterparts are distinguished by red, fleshy cup-shaped arils enveloping the seeds.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
Leaf Type: Evergreen
Needle-like leaves, 0.5-1.5 inches (1.3-3.8 cm) long, with yellowish-green undersides.
Male cones yellowish, female arils red; no traditional flowers present.
Bright red arils encasing toxic seed, visually striking against green.
Linear leaves in pairs on the stem, shiny dark green upper surface.
Rugged reddish-brown bark with scaly texture, revealing lighter underbark over time.
The leaves of common yew are shiny, green, flat, and needled, arranged in two vertical columns on opposite sides of the stem. They are linear, measuring 0.4 to 1.6 inches (1 to 4 cm) in length and 0.08 to 0.12 inches (2 to 3 mm) in width. The upper surface is dark green, while the lower surface is yellowish-green. These distinct features, including their arrangement and coloration, are key for identifying common yew.
Common yew is unique as it does not produce conventional flowers. Instead, it bears small, inconspicuous reproductive structures. The male structures are pollen cones, about 0.12 inches (3 mm) in diameter, yellowish and clustered. The female structures are even less flower-like, developing into red, berry-like arils after pollination. These reproductive features appear in early spring, with minimal fragrance or visually striking petals. Despite the absence of traditional flowers, these characteristics are essential for identifying common yew.
The fruit of common yew is characterized by a conspicuous aril, a fleshy, cup-shaped structure encompassing the seed, which starts green and ripens to a bright, attractive red. The texture is soft and berry-like. Enclosed within each aril is a single, hard, dark brown seed, about 0.2 inches (5 mm) long, which is highly toxic if ingested. The contrast between the scarlet aril and the seed is striking, providing a distinctive identification feature. Arils are typically found at the leaf axils on female plants.
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Scientific Classification of Common yew
