Family: Taxaceae, Yew view all from this family
Description Poisonous, nonresinous, evergreen tree with angled trunk often twisted or irregular and with broad crown of slender, horizontal branches; sometimes shrubby.
Height: 50' (15 m).
Diameter: 2' (0.6 m).
Needles: evergreen; spreading in 2 rows; 1/2-3/4" (12-19 mm) long, 1/16" (1.5 mm) or more wide. Flattened, short-pointed at both ends, soft and flexible, short-stalked. Deep yellow-green above, light green with 2 broad, whitish bands beneath.
Bark: purplish-brown, very thin, smooth, with red-brown papery scales.
Twigs: green, becoming light brown; slender and slightly drooping, with 2 lines below each leaf.Seeds and Male
Cones: on separate trees. Elliptical seeds 1/4" (6 mm) long; stalkless, blunt-pointed, 2- to 4-angled, brown; nearly enclosed by scarlet cup 3/8" (10 mm) in diameter; soft, juicy, and sweet; scattered and single on leafy twigs. Male or pollen cones 1/8" (3 mm) in diameter; pale yellow, short-stalked, single at leaf bases.
Warning Leaves, twigs, and seeds inside fleshy "berries" are all poisonous if eaten, and potentially fatal. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Habitat Moist soil of stream banks and canyons; in understory of coniferous forests.
Range Extreme SE. Alaska south along coat to central California; also SE. British Columbia south in Rocky Mountains to central Idaho; from sea level in north to 7000' (2134 m) in south.
Discussion The strong wood has been used for archery bows, poles, canoe paddles, and small cabinetwork; however, the limited supply and small dimensions restrict use. While most parts of yew plants, are deadly poisonous, the red, juicy cup around the seed is reported to be edible, provided the poisonous seed is not chewed or swallowed. Birds eat these cups and scatter the seeds.
