A hardy, coniferous, mat-forming evergreen, 30cm in height by 1m in width after ten years, with upturned branches, and grey, blue-green, foliage and small, globose fruits. The fruits are poisonous and contact with the foliage may aggravate skin allergies.

Known as 'Savin' and an ingredient in Vnguetum Aregonis, there is a drug jar containing this ointment in the Hoffbrand Collection of Apothecary jars, dated 1662, made in Pickleherring, Rotherhithe, London

Hoffbrand Collection at the Royal College of Physicians

Savin oil in small doses is diuretic and induces menstruation, larger doses cause convulsions. Topically the oil causes blisters and skin necrosis. Swallowed causes gastroenteritis and haematemesis, polyuria, haematuria, oliguria, anuria, coma and renal failure. Respiratory arrest after 10 hours. Historically used as an abortifacient, but usually fatal to the mother as well.

Stevens, S & Bannon, A. HowDunnit - the Book of Poisons, 2007. p. 65 https://books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=158297456X

Toxic

Professor Anthony Dayan, 2022

POM Taxanes

Africa, Northern Africa, Algeria

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iran

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey

Asia-Temperate, Caucasus

Asia-Temperate, Siberia

Asia-Temperate, Middle Asia, Kazakhstan

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Romania

Europe, Southwestern Europe, France

Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

Europe, Middle Europe, Poland

Europe, Middle Europe, Czech Republic

Europe, Middle Europe, Switzerland

Europe, Eastern Europe

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria

Asia-Temperate, Middle Asia, Kyrgyzstan

Asia-Temperate, Eastern Asia

Asia-Temperate, China

Asia-Temperate, Mongolia

Europe, Middle Europe, Austria

Europe, Middle Europe, Germany