The Taxaceae, which currently has about four or five extant species, once had as many as twenty species. Today, the few genera seen include Taxus (the yews) , Austotaxus, Pseudotaxus, Torreya, and Amenotaxus. In the past, Taxaceae have been referred to as "conifers without cones". While Taxaceae do lack the typical seed-bearing cones and resin canals in the woods and leaves, they are most commonly known for their ovule borne terminally on a modified shoot.
Species from Taxaceae can be found all over the world. The most common genus is Taxus, which is widely distributed throughout the northern temperate zones of the Old and New Worlds. Another important genus is Torreya which is distributed in a disjuct manner; these species only occur in parts of California, Florida, and Eastern Asia. Pseudotaxus and Austrotaxus also are distrubuted over a small range where they are found in East China and New Caledonia respectively.
Taxaceae have been important plants in the past and are widely used today. In the past, the yew has been used as wood for spears for its tight grained and resilent nature. Yews are also used as poison for murder and suicide. This is because their berry-like arils and foliage are toxic to humans. Perhaps one of their most important uses currently is to produce a compound called taxol, known to have anti-cancer properties. But to many, yews are the most common hedging plant around. Their delicate structure and bright red arils can be seen surrounding the most beautiful gardens in the world.
The Botanical Dermatology Database and the North American Species of Taxaceae via Biodiversity of North America Program.
Hartzell, H. The Yew Trees: Biography of a Species. Hulogosi Publishers: Eugene, Oregon, 1991.
Hora, Bayard. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Trees of the World. Oxford University Press: Oxford, New York, Toronto, Melbourne, 1991.
Johnson, Hugh. International Book of Trees - A Guide and Tribute to the Trees of Our Forests and Gardens.. Mitchell Beazley Publishers Limited: New York, 1973.
Penhallow, David. A Manual of the North American Gymnosperms. Ginn and Company Publishers Boston, 1907.
