Species library · Plants & herbs

Pacific Yew: poisonous

Taxus brevifolia

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Pacific Yew is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from July to September in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland.

☠ Poisonous
Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia)

Photo: (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · iNaturalist

When Pacific Yew appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Pacific Yew is usually found in Woodland.

Look up Pacific Yew in the app

In the Forage app, Pacific Yew has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Pacific Yew: common questions

Is Pacific Yew poisonous?

Yes. Pacific Yew is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Pacific Yew appear?

Pacific Yew usually appears from July to September in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Pacific Yew grow?

Pacific Yew is usually found in Woodland.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits