Genus of the Taxaceae family of trees and shrubs; contain the toxic alkaloid taxine which causes abdominal pain, convulsions, vomiting, dyspnea, diarrhea in most patients and acute heart failure and sudden death in a few cases. Includes Taxus baccata, T. baccata var. fastigiata (Irish or churchyard yew), T. brevifolia (western yew), T. canadensis (ground hemlock), T. cuspitata (Japanese yew).

Taxus baccata. By permission from Knottenbelt DC, Pascoe RR, Diseases and Disorders of the Horse, Saunders, 2003

Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.