Yew and Cypress family (Taxus baccata and Cupressaceae)

Flowering: February - April

 

Description:

This heterogeneous group of conifers includes species of two different families: Taxaceae and Cupressaceae (Juniperus, Chamaecyparis and Thuja).

These trees are evergreen. Cupressaceae trees may reach up to 40 meters height whereas yew rarely reaches more than 25 meters height.

Distribution:

Most of these conifers are planted in parks and gardens. Only Taxus baccata and Juniperus communis are native to Belgium.

Allergy:

The pollen of these two families are morphologically similar. Even among the Cupressaceae family, the genera are difficult to discern.

Allergy to pollen from these species is not common in our country, unlike in the Mediterranean region where they are massively planted.