# Yew

## Taxus baccata L.

NATURE | coniferous tree
IMPLANTATION | flattened needles separately standing spiral-wise implanted
FRUIT |
INFLORESCENCE |

Medical value: All parts of Yew are poisonous for both animals and humans. Especially cows and horses almost die immediately after eating just a small amount. Despite this toxin, yew also contains Taxal, which is used to treat cancer.
Use: The wood is very sustainable, elegant and hard but easy to work. It is very suitable for woodcarving. In medieval times the best bows were made of yew wood. The Gauls used the sap to create poisonous arrows. In Egypt, yew wood is imported especially to build coffins.

Legend:

Bloom. All months in which we can find blooming specimens. Regional differences may occur.
Harvest Time. All months in which we can find ripe fruits on trees. Unripe fruit can be found earlier on trees and shrubs. Sometimes even throughout the year, as happens with trees such as pines, this fruit ripens over several years.
Both flowers and ripe fruit may occur at the same time in some months.