European Yew

Taxus baccata L.

Family: Taxaceae (yew family) 

Synonyms

English yew

Description

A coniferous tree growing up to ten metres tall, with evergreen, flat needles and inconspicuous flowers, found in mountainous areas or cultivated as an ornamental shrub in parks and gardens. When the fruit ripens from August onwards, the yew produces red, fleshy ‘fruits’ containing a single brown seed in the centre. Strictly speaking, these are not fruits but seed coats. The needles and chewed seeds contain toxins (taxines). The red, sweet-tasting seed coat is non-toxic.

Symptoms of poisoning

• After chewing the needles or seeds, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dilated pupils, cardiac arrhythmia and impaired consciousness may occur.

First Aid

• If possible, carefully remove any plant matter from the mouth.
• If swallowed, give the person a cup of water or tea to drink.
• If you suspect oral ingestion, contact a Poison Centre immediately.
• If the child has ingested a large amount or is showing symptoms and a Poison Centre cannot be reached immediately, call an ambulance.