The
Order Taxales in the
Division Pinophyta,
Class Pinopsida includes the yews. There is but one family, the
Taxaceae. The majority of true conifers are classified in the
Order Pinales. Some botanists do not recognize this order, considering the
Taxaceae to belong in the
Pinales. The distinguishing characteristic is the absence of seed cones in the
Taxales.
A fleshy aril surrounds each seed in the yew which lacks seed cones
