No image available
Taxaceae FAMILY

Taxus × media

Taxus × media

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
3/5

Safety & Hazards

All parts of the plant, except the flesh of the fruit, are highly poisonous[ 1 Title RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Publication Author F. Chittendon. Publisher Oxford University Press Year 1951 ISBN - Description Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]). , 4 Title A Modern Herbal. Publication Author Grieve. Publisher Penguin Year 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Description Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants. , 7 Title Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. Publication Author Chiej. R. Publisher MacDonald Year 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5 Description Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs. , 10 Title Poisonous Plants and Animals. Publication Author Altmann. H. Publisher Chatto and Windus Year 1980 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 Description A small book, reasonable but not very detailed. , 19 Title Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Stary. F. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3 Description Not very comprehensive, but easy reading. , 65 Title A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. Publisher Wolfe Year 1984 ISBN 0723408394 Description Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far. ].

Botanical Description

Taxus × media is an evergreen shrub. A garden hybrid, various cultivars have been developed that can range in shape from low and, wide to tall and narrow. It can vary in height from 30cm - 6 metres tall. The plant is commonly grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge or ground cover. There is a range of cultivars suitable for garden use. The fruit is edible, the plant is a source of an anti-cancer drug and the wood has a range of uses.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate
Native RangeA hybrid species of garden origin, Taxus cuspidate and Taxaus baccata
HabitatNot known in the wild.