Taxus baccata 10 PCS fresh seeds, Common yew, English yew tree

🌱 Taxus baccata — Common yew, English yew tree

Seeds of Taxus baccata, also known as Common yew or English yew tree, are a rare and unique addition to any collection. This coniferous tree belongs to the Taxaceae family and is prized for its slow growth rate and long lifespan. With specimens known to live up to 4,000 years, this tree is a testament to nature's resilience.

🌿 Botanical Description

The Taxus baccata tree is an evergreen with a thin, reddish-brown bark that peels in plates. Its linear, flat leaves are leathery and located on short petioles. The tree is usually dioecious, with male cones round and single, situated in the axils of the leaves on the underside of the shoot. Female generative organs are located in the same way. The seed is surrounded by a fleshy, juicy red shell, known as an aryllus, with a diameter of 5-8 mm.

🌾 Growing & Agrotechnics

• Sow seeds 0.5-1 cm deep in a cold frame or indoor pot. Stratification is required for 3-4 months at 5-10°C.
• Germination temperature: 15-20°C. Germination time: 1-3 months.
• Soil type: Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
• Watering and fertilization: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize sparingly during the growing season.
• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 (-29°C to -23°C). Frost tolerance: Moderate.

🗺️ Natural Growing Areas

Taxus baccata is native to mountain forests in Europe and Asia, typically growing among fir, spruce, and beech trees at an altitude of up to 1400 m above sea level. It can thrive on sand and marshy soils but prefers podzolized or calcareous soils.

✨ Interesting Facts

All parts of the Taxus baccata tree, except the aryllus, are poisonous. The seeds are dispersed by birds, which feed on the aryllus. This tree has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.