ExplorePlants

Pacific yew

Taxus brevifolia

The Pacific yew is a beautiful tree that grows in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. It has dark green needles and produces small red berries that are loved by birds.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Pacific yew has dark green, flattened needles arranged in two rows, giving its branches a distinctive flat appearance. Its bark is thin, scaly, and reddish-brown, often peeling in strips. Instead of cones, it produces bright red, fleshy berry-like structures called arils.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyTaxaceaeGenusTaxus
Pacific yew
shade_tolerant trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badgeconiferous trait badgeevergreen trait badge
Pacific yew

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its super-strong wood was prized for making bows by Indigenous peoples!

Its unique red 'berries' are actually fleshy cups holding toxic seeds inside!

Many animals, especially deer, avoid eating its leaves because they are poisonous!

This tree can live to be over 500 years old, maybe even a thousand!

Special abilities

Ability

Anti-Cancer Power

Pacific yew has special compounds in its bark that can be used to make powerful anti-cancer medicines.

Ability

Rot-Resistant Wood

Pacific yew has incredibly dense wood that resists rot, making it last for a very long time in damp forests.

Ability

Understory Survivor

Pacific yew can grow slowly in deep shade, a unique adaptation that helps it thrive beneath larger trees.

Measurements & details

Height
500-1500 cm
Spread
200-500 cm
Bloom Season
Spring
Edible
No
Toxicity
High
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Wind

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Do not eat the berries from the Pacific yew, as they can make you sick.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Pacific yew?

500-1500 cm

How wide does Pacific yew spread?

200-500 cm

When does Pacific yew bloom?

Spring

Is Pacific yew edible?

No

Is Pacific yew toxic?

High

What is Pacific yew's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Pacific yew pollinated?

Wind

Where is Pacific yew usually found?

Forests

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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