Plantcompass

General Information

Family: Yew family (Taxaceae)
Flowering period in Central Europe: Winter to early spring
Months: 2–4

Allergy potential
CARE-S* Level 2. Low allergenicity in Central Europe, Mediterranean species are more allergenic.

Cross-Reactions
Not known.

Botanical Information

Occurrences
Yews are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere in temperate climates with mild winters, some species are also found in tropical mountain ranges of Honduras and Malaysia (southernmost natural distribution). Habitats — Deciduous forests from plains to mountainous areas.

Morphology
Habit — Tree or shrub. Foliage — Evergreen, pointed needles. Reproduction — Dioecious, ♂ pollen cones spherical, yellowish at the branch tips, ♀ cones small and inconspicuous, forming fleshy red false berries (aril).
Caution: Branches and seeds are toxic!

Common species in Europe

Common yew (Taxus baccata).
Allergy potential — CARE-S* Level 2. Habit — Tree or shrub. Habitats — Commonly cultivated as an ornamental hedge. In deciduous and mixed forests (shade-tolerant species), from plains to mountainous areas. Some specimens are among the oldest trees in Europe (up to 2000 years old). Flowering period in Central Europe — February to April.

* CARE-S is an evidence-based system for categorising the allergenic potential of plants. Additional information about CARE-S is available here.