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Yews (Taxus)
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 the seeds within the pulp
are highly poisonous. All yews contain a natural chemical called taxol, which
is very
promising in
the treatment of certain types of cancer. Only one yew, Pacific yew,
is native to the Pacific Northwest. However, English and Irish yews are commonly
planted
in lawns and gardens for ornamental purposes.
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