Quick answer: Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) is native to 1 state. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Ryan McMinds, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-2.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the register as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Dry, Moist |
| Soil | Moist soils |
| Bloom | Jun-Jul, inconspicuous flowers |
| Height | Up to 80 ft, typically 15-50 ft |
| Wildlife value | Birds eat/disperse seed coverings; source of Taxol (cancer drug); nearly all parts toxic |
highly toxic — nearly all plant parts toxic to humans (except the fleshy red aril); source of Taxol
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 15 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 15 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Also listed under
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