Canadian Yew (Taxus canadensis)

Family: Taxaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Taxus canadensis is an evergreen Tree growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet and gelatinous, most people find it delicious though some find it sickly. — Very sweet and gelatinous, most people find it delicious though some find it sickly.; The fruit is a fleshy berry about 8mm in diameter and containing a single seed.; All other parts of this plant, including the seed, are highly poisonous.; When eating the fruit you should spit out the large seed found in the fruit's centre.

Habitat & North American Range

An understory shrub in rich forests (deciduous, mixed, or coniferous), bogs, swamps, gorges, ravine slopes, and rocky banks from sea level to 1500 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)