Pacific Yew
Taxus brevifolia · Taxaceae
How it looks
Pacific Yew is an evergreen conifer whose short needles are arranged comb-like along the branches. It closely resembles other yew species and grows about 33-49 ft (10-15 m) tall. In fall, red cup-shaped arils appear among the needles.
Deadly — cardiac arrest
The leaves, stems, and seeds (except the red aril) of Pacific Yew contain taxine alkaloids; ingestion can lead to tremors, difficulty breathing, and cardiac arrest.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 6–24 hours after ingestion (symptoms may be delayed)
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, tremors, cardiac failure
- Action
- Go to a 24-hour animal hospital immediately. Don't wait, even if there are no symptoms.
Guide for parents
The Pacific yew is a conifer often planted as a garden tree or hedge, but keep it away from any space your cat shares. The needles, stems, and seeds contain taxine alkaloids, so even a small amount can cause tremors and difficulty breathing on the way to cardiac arrest.
Yews with the same toxin
Taxine isn't unique to the Pacific yew — it's shared across the whole yew genus (Taxus), including the common yew. The needles and seeds are dangerous regardless of the species, so keep all yews out of your cat's space.
How cats get exposed
Only the red aril — the soft flesh around the seed — is non-toxic; the needles, stems, and the seed itself are all deadly. Dried needles keep their toxicity, so don't leave clippings lying around after pruning — clear them right away. It's easy to assume the red berries mean it's safe, so take special care that your cat can't chew the seeds.
How symptoms progress
Taxine strongly suppresses the heart's electrical signals. It can start with vomiting and tremors, but the hallmark of this toxin is a sudden collapse of the pulse and abrupt cardiac arrest with little warning. Symptoms can appear late, so looking fine on the outside is no reassurance.
What to do right now
If you suspect ingestion, go to a 24-hour emergency vet immediately even with mild symptoms. Do not induce vomiting at home, and tell the vet what and how much was eaten. Yew poisoning can progress suddenly, so this is a race against time.
Details
- Scientific name
- Taxus brevifolia
- Common name
- Pacific Yew
- Family
- Taxaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts (except the red aril)
- Compounds
- Taxine alkaloids
- Source
- ASPCA
Related plants
Same plant family· Taxaceae
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