All parts of the plant except the fleshy aril are poisonous, with toxins that can be absorbed through inhalation, ingestion, and transpiration through the skin. The wood has been prized for making …

Oct 31, 2015 · The long-lived European yew tree— Taxus baccata, the tree of the dead, the tree of poisonous seeds—bears witness to the antiquity of the churchyard and shades its “rugged elms,” …

The yew tree (Taxus baccata) is poisonous if any parts are eaten, and is also known as the 'tree of the dead' because they are often found in graveyards.

Mar 31, 2023 · With ages measured in millennia, a trio of evergreens – Scotland’s Fortingall yew, Wales’ Defynnog yew, and England’s Ankerwycke yew – are among the oldest trees in the UK. Each is …

Dec 8, 2025 · The yew tree (Taxus baccata) and a related species common to gardeners, Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata), is known to be one of the most poisonous woody plants in the world, with all …

Jul 29, 2025 · This tree features dark green, needle-like foliage and bright red, berry-like fruits known as arils. It possesses a unique combination of visual appeal, deep historical roots, and a potent hidden …

Nov 20, 2025 · The common yew (Taxus baccata) is an evergreen conifer native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. While it is a popular ornamental plant today, its significance in ancient times was quite …

In this article, you discovered species planting and care information, severe toxicity warnings, and some of the ancient mythology surrounding the Taxus baccata species.

Ancient, morbid, toxic. The yew is one of the longest-lived native species in Europe. This has made it a symbol of death and doom, but it provides food and shelter for woodland animals. Yew is most …

Dec 26, 2025 · Taxus baccata has played a major role in several religious traditions. This may have occurred because the tree is poisonous, valued for a variety of medicinal purposes, and symbolic of …