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Yew is a small genus of about eight species scattered across North America, Europe, and Asia. Although it's grouped with the conifers because it has needle-like foliage, its fruit is not a cone. Instead, it's an aril--a large, single seed surrounded by a soft, fleshy, bright red pulp. Although they look inviting, DON'T TASTE THEM, for they are highly poisonous. All yews contain a natural chemical called taxol, which is very promising in the treatment of certain types of cancer. Irish and English yew are commonly planted in lawns and gardens for ornamental purposes.
Needles: About 25mm long; dark green above
and lighter green below (not white); pointed, but not sharp;
leaf margins rolled under; needles occur in a single plane.
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