Tasxus baccata
The yews are evergreen trees and shrubs with alternate branches. The bark is reddish-brown, thin and scaled. The flat, needle-like leaves, about one inch long, grow in opposite pairs along the twigs. The hard green to black seeds are exposed in a fleshy red cup (aril). The needles and seed of yews are poisonous. Children may be attracted to the red, sweet-tasting berries. While the berry flesh is not toxic, the seeds within are extremely poisonous. Not all plants bear fruit. The management of yew poisoning includes evacuation of the stomach followed by the oral administration of activated charcoal with water.
The USDA Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory site has more information on yew.
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