Canada Yew is a low, sprawling evergreen shrub of cool northern forests with flat, dark green needles and bright red fleshy berries called arils. The soft red arils are eaten by birds (who pass the toxic seeds unharmed), while all other parts including the seeds are highly poisonous. It was once far more abundant before massive overbrowsing by deer.
Best time to see a Canada Yew
The best time to see a Canada Yew is April–August, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,802 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Canada Yew? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
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