Species library · Plants & herbs

Canada Yew: deadly poisonous

Taxus canadensis

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

Canada Yew is classed as deadly 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 January to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Deadly poisonous
Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis)

Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Carter Dorscht · iNaturalist

When Canada Yew appears

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

Where it grows

Canada Yew is usually found in Woodland.

Look up Canada Yew in the app

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

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Canada Yew: common questions

Is Canada Yew poisonous?

Yes. Canada Yew is classed as deadly 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 Canada Yew appear?

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

Where does Canada Yew grow?

Canada Yew is usually found in Woodland.

What can Canada Yew be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: European yew, Japanese yew, Eastern hemlock. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

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