THE SPERMATOPHYTES 467 . 
pistillate consisting of a single terminal ovule with several 
bracts at its base. The fruit consists of an erect bony seed 
situated in a fleshy, reddish, cup-shaped disk, representing an aril. 
c D 
Fic. 351.—Ephedra a member of the order Gnetales. A, branches with ovulate 
strobili. B, branches with staminate strobili. C, ovulate strobilus. D, an 
ovulate flower. £, staminate strobilus with staminate flowers in the axils of bracts. 
(From Watson.) 
The leaves, seeds and bark of Taxus canadensis (American 
Yew) and T. baccata (European Yew) contain the alkaloid, 
taxin, which is poisonous to horses, cattle, sheep and pigs. The 
fleshy disk (aril) surrounding the seed is not poisonous. 
