Hul'q'umi'num' name:
tuxwa’tsulhp
English Name:
Pacific Yew
Alternative English Names:
Yew, Western Yew
Scientific Name:
Taxus brevifolia
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Description
Description, Habitat, Ecology, Distribution
Western yew is an evergreen shrub to small tree found in mature and old growth forests. The leaves are flat needles. The seeds are surrounded by bright red, fleshy structures called arils. Yew wood is heavy, tough and durable. Yew occurs from low to middle elevations throughout the coast.
Island Cultural Role
Yew wood was used for bows and paddles.
Cautions
CAUTION: This species may be harmful. It contains a number of alkaloids, as well as an irritating volatile oil, and a cyanogenic glycoside. All parts of this tree are toxic except for the red, fleshy arils, which surround the seeds. Even one or two seeds, if consumed, could be fatal to a small child with death resulting from respiratory and heart failure.
Language
Hul'q'umi'num' Name
tuxwa’tsulhp
APA
təxʷaʔcəɫp
Speaker
Bill Seward
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