Yew

KEY FACTS

KEY FACTS

  • LATIN NAME
    Taxus baccata
  • ORDER
    Plants

About the Yew

Found at a number of locations around the Park, Yew has important medicinal uses for mankind.

Most parts of the tree are poisonous but its leaves are used to produce an anti-cancer drug, while the flesh of its berries can be used as a laxative and diuretic.

The male Yew tree produces cones – like most conifers – whereas a bright red and eye-catching berry grows on the female plant from early September.

Long associated with and planted near graveyards, Yew is a symbol of immortality and is able to rejuvenate itself with the trees living for up to 1,000 years.


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