Walt LV. Artemisia afra [Internet]. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: SANBI Biodiversity for Life South African National Biodiversity Institute; 2004 [cited 2023 Apr 7]. Available from: https://pza.sanbi.org/artemisia-afra Laplante J. Healing roots : anthropology in life and medicine [Internet]. New York: Berghahn Books; 2015. [cited 2023 Apr 7]. p. 12-24. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1515/9781782385554 Viljoen AM, van Vuuren SF, Gwebu T, Demirci B, Başer KHC. The geographical variation and antimicrobial activity of African wormwood (Artemisia afra Jacq.) essential oil. J Essent Oil Res [Internet]. 2006 [cited 2023 Apr 6];18(sup1):19–25. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2006.12067114 Trendafilova A, Moujir LM, Sousa PMC, Seca AML. Research advances on health effects of edible Artemisia species and some sesquiterpene sactones constituents. Foods [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Apr 7];10(1):65. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10010065 Consulta Plantas. Artemisia afra. [image on Internet]. [place unknown]; [cited 2023 Apr 7]. Available from: http://www.consultaplantas.com/index.php/en/care-plants-from-a-to-c/1700-artemisia-afraor-african-wormwood-care-and-growing Miracle Botanicals. [African wormwood essential oil]. [image on Internet]. [place unknown]; [cited 2023 Apr 7]. Available from: https://miraclebotanicals.com/en-ca/products/wormwood-africanessential-oil-organic South African Smallholder Magazine. [African wormwood tea in a jar]. [image on Internet]. [place unknown]; [cited 2023 Apr 7]. Available from: https://sasmallholder.co.za/2021/10/30/growing-andusing-african-wormwood/ References 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 390
Taxus Baccata can be found in Europe, Asia, and Africa however close relatives such as Ground-Hemlock (Taxus canadensis), the Mexican Yew (Taxus globosa), or any of the other 5 species of yew can be found in the Americas and Australia. This is due to its ability to tolerate low-nutrient soils, short periods of drought and overwatering. Yew can be seen as tall growing trees or shorter bushes varying by growth time. Yew is easily identified by its beautiful evergreen pines which are decorated with red berry-like arils which are opened at the end and contain the seeds. Furthermore, the common yew has a unique blood-red sap not shared by similar-looking conifers. Yew is highly toxic in all regions of the plant except the flesh of its arils. Contained in the plant are taxine alkaloids which are highly toxic. They act by penetrating the skin (sap contact) or absorbing through the intestine (consumption of plant parts), where they can travel through the bloodstream to reach the heart or lungs causing cardiac or respiratory failure. The taxine alkaloids are most concentrated in the seeds and their concentration increases in winter (Brooks-Lim et al., 2021). Additionally, the smoke produced from burning Yew wood can deliver the alkaloids via inhalation (Chakrabarti, 2022). Yew's common pests include: COMMON YEW TAXUS BACCATA Also Known as: European Yew or English Yew Abundance and Identification YEW SAP: Toxicity and Common Pests 391
If you decide to grow yew, many of these pests can be avoided by purchasing yew from a good supplier and regularly checking up on it for discolouration (In such an event, a simple spray for an appropriate insecticide will do) (Pacholko, 2023). Taxcus baccata isn't all poison and pests. The tree is commonly used as a foundation plant for decorating lawns due to how easy it is to grow. Some even find the pruning of yew to be therapeutic (made possible due to the tree's ability to rapidly regrow from cut areas) (Chakrabarti, 2022). Medicinally, Yew has been used by humans since long ago. Yew sap was used by early tribes in low doses to alter heartbeats of those suffering from heart-related afflictions. Currently, we derive the drug Taxol from Yew bark (Typically derived from Pacific Yew but present in low amounts in Common Yew). Taxol as well as another drug Taxotere (also found in Taxus Baccata) were used as chemotherapy drugs to treat breast and ovarian cancer (now being replaced by lab analogues) (Legault, 2022). Yew is sometimes used in teas to promote menstruation, cause abortion and treat parasitic infections, as well as treat ulcers, however, these uses are not at all researched and are illadvised (Legault, 2022). Taxus and Grape Mealybugs Black Vine Weevil Fletcher, Cottony Taxus and Spruce Bud Scales Root-knot Nematodes Common Uses and Medicine Front Yard Decorated With Yew : Folklore and Bonus Facts In Irish mythology, the yew is one of the five sacred trees brought from the Otherworld at the division of the land into five parts. Known as the Tree of Ross, it was said to be the ‘offspring of the tree that is in Paradise’, and it brought lasting plenty to Ireland (Druidy, 2020). In Christian mythology, the yew's red sap represents the tree's sympathy for Jesus Christ's death on the cross. The Yew is often planted in churchyards as a symbol of death and rebirth. In the past 392
With them being non-invasive, easy to grow, fun to prune, along with being a year-long evergreen beauty; Yew makes for a great lawn plant (Just don't play around with the sap or try to make tea): Nathaniel Harvey, 1008353210, Winter 2023, BIOB38, Page_From_A_Book:Yew some have referred to the yew as ‘the tree of death and rebirth’ as a combination of this Christian significance and its toxic/medicinal properties) (Druidy, 2020). Yew wood is strong and flexible, and in the legend of Robin Hood, his bows were made of it (Druidy, 2020). Common Yew is able to grow up to 20m, is dioicous, and thrives in neutral pHs between 5 - 8. GROW YOUR OWN! 393
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