Safety note: All parts except the fleshy red aril are highly toxic; seeds are also toxic.
Pacific Yew became famous in the 1990s when the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel (Taxol) was discovered in its bark, leading to extensive harvesting. It is a slow-growing understory tree of moist Pacific Northwest forests. Deer browse the foliage despite its toxicity, and many birds eat the sweet red arils while the toxic seed passes unharmed.
Habitat
Moist forest understory in the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to California
Diet
Red arils eaten by many bird species; foliage browsed by deer
How common
Uncommon
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