Taxus (genus)

Genus containing 8 species of small coniferous trees or shrubs in the family Taxaceae, distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are relatively slow growing, long-lived, and reach heights of 1-40 m, with trunk diameters of up to 4 m. Yews have rich, dark-green foliage with branches that are erect or spreading, closely covered with flattened, linear leaves. Other trees are called "yew," but are not true yews of this genus, including the plum-yew, Prince Albert yew, and stinking yew.