Family: Taxaceae
Other Names: English Yew, William’s
tree, Uller’s tree
Description: Lives up to 2000 years old. As branches
touch the ground they grow into a new tree of their own.
Sometimes after 100y years the tree grows hollow and a new tree
grows inside the old
Red/brown bark Leaves, needles type flowers early spring male
and female on separate trees Flowers: small, green, followed by pink
Cones
Fruit: red
Evergreen. 80-120cm in 10-15 years
Parts Used: Bark and leaves
Cultivation: Prefers clay soil
Actions: Analgesic, anti-tumour, emmenagogue
Constituents: Diterpene alkaloids or
taxoids : taxol
Lignans: isotaxiresinol, rhododendrol, hibalactone,
berevifoliol
Other Uses: Weapons especially bows
Carved votive objects and divination objects
Other Notes: Under old Celtic law cutting down a yew
tree was punishable with death.
Caesar referred to Britain as "Land of the yews"
The yew became a symbol for English determination
Associated with death and funeral rites –wreaths of yew were
worn –linked to the goddess Hecate
Often found in churchyards
Said to mark ancient springs or sacred spots
Some say they shelter witches some say they drive witches away
Said to be where ghosts meet
Taxus is derived from the Greek word “taxos” which is similar
to their word for bow “toxon” and the word for poisonous “toxikon”
Yewmanly/Yeoman =men who were good archers
Yew wreaths were often placed around the neck of black bulls
when they were sacrificed to Hecate
According to Ovid (43AD-18BC) living yew trees marked the entrance
to hell
It is a protected species
Cautions: Very Poisonous