Family

Taxaceae

Genus

Taxus

Common Name

Hong Dou Shan

Plant Figure

Description

Taxus is a genus of coniferous trees or shrubs known as yews in the family Taxaceae. They are relatively slow-growing and can be very long-lived, and reach heights of 2.5–20 meters (8.2–65.6 ft), with trunk girth averaging 5 meters (16 ft). Taxol (generic name paclitaxel), very important for certain types of cancer treatments, was first isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew Taxus brevifolia and gained marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of various cancers.