Taxus baccata

Overview

Kew's Plants of the World Online accepts Taxus baccata in the family Taxaceae. The name was first published in Species Plantarum in 1753. The native range runs from the Azores across Europe to northern Iran and northwestern Africa, and explicitly includes Greece and Kriti.

The European Atlas of Forest Tree Species describes a slow-growing, non-resinous tree that tolerates deep shade and repeated pruning. It often has several trunks, and its linear needles are dark green on the upper side. Trees are usually dioecious. Each seed becomes enclosed in a red fleshy aril that attracts birds.

Hollow trunks prevent secure ages for ancient trees. Historic timber use, land clearance and slow replacement have affected populations; taxane alkaloids motivate pharmaceutical research.

Origins & earliest records

The 1753 date records the publication of the name, not the evolutionary origin of the lineage.

Evidence & interpretation

A Kew POWO taxonomic record and a one-page synthesis from the European Atlas of Forest Tree Species.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Taxus baccata L.

   · n.d.

   Selected bibliography; Kew POWO taxonomic record.

2. 02

   Taxus baccata in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats

   Benham, Houston Durrant, Caudullo and de Rigo · 2016

   Selected bibliography; European Atlas synthesis.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Family placement follows Kew POWO. No higher ranks were supplied.

1. FamilyTaxaceae

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Taxonomic databaseTaxus baccata L.Research access: 2026-10-06
2. Institutional synthesisTaxus baccata in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threatsResearch access: 2026-10-06
3. Official publication recordEuropean Atlas of Forest Tree SpeciesResearch access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.