Taxus Berries (Taxus Baccata)

Posted by Illuci (Hurdegaryp, Netherlands) on 3 October 2007 in Plant & Nature and Portfolio.

The whole taxus tree or shrub is very poisonous, except the berries, they are deliciously sweet and tasty. Spit out the stone because that's poisonous, too. Or better, remove it before consuming the berry.

The taxus is an innate tree in Europe, the ancient German and Celtic tribes used its wood for bows to fight the Romans.

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Comments (14)

Rabbit from Richmond, United States

Hey it looks like you have been eating the middle already. <arms crossed> not fair save me some. This is a super cool plant the green and pinkish red colors are fantastic.

3 Oct 2007 5:06am

@Rabbit: Thanks Rabbit! You may have the rest tomorrow when enough people have seen them :)

e. from Washington DC, United States

Wow cool. I'll have to keep that in mind. Thanks for sharing a beautiful photo.

3 Oct 2007 6:48am

@e.: Thanks, e.!

Dhini from Dordrecht, Netherlands

Fantastic.

3 Oct 2007 7:33am

@Dhini: Thanks, Dhini!

kairospix from Singapore, Singapore

wow! what lovely deep reds!
thanks for sharing the info - will be careful not to get poison by the stone or the plant!

3 Oct 2007 11:58am

Manuela Photography from Hainburg, Germany

Wow, never knew this actually... hope I can keep it in mind.
Very good detail.

3 Oct 2007 12:21pm

@Manuela Photography: I didn't know either until 20 years ago when I read it in a trustworthy book and tried some berries in the garden, they taste a bit like raspberries, my wife didn't dare eat them because the plant is poisonous but, as I said and had proven, the berry isn't. One shouldn't also put cattle (goats, ponies) in the neighborhood of taxus bushes, they can easily get some twigs inside and die. A very interesting and decorative tree or shrub, remaining green during winter!

rainsocks from Singapore

I've never seen those before!! How special!!! Thanks for sharing!!

3 Oct 2007 2:13pm

@rainsocks: Thanks to you, too, Rainsocks! I don't think they feel at ease in tropical climates, they are real European natives. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I'll post another picture of taxus, I love the color combination of deep-green and pink-red.

Stunner from Kingston, Jamaica

These are some unusual berries, never seen them before! Great shot and lovely mix of colours!

4 Oct 2007 5:01am

Illuci from Netherlands

Thanks, Stunner!

4 Oct 2007 6:26am

Andrew Gould from Sydney, Australia

The two most prominent berries look almost three dimensional. You've caught their form perfectly! A very interesting note, too.

4 Oct 2007 10:07am

Markus from Reading, United Kingdom

Hele mooi! Ik voel de bakermat!

4 Oct 2007 9:17pm

Amr Tahtawi from Cairo, Egypt

i cant say more than "Thank you" for the great innovative framed fruit, and for the imfo provided..realy its so "deliciously sweet" :)

5 Oct 2007 1:38pm

HorseRotorVator from Newton, United States

Dangerous eating there! :) Cool shot!!!

5 Oct 2007 11:21pm

aggie from Singapore, Singapore

Very interesting. So pretty and deceptive. Doesn't look poisonous but thanks for educating me :)

6 Oct 2007 4:48am

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

Lovely image, and interesting reading as well. I never knew these were edible. I know they're messy, though. I'll have to sample a berry as I do see them here and there this time of year.

7 Oct 2007 9:55pm

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