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 directory 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.
Quick answers about Pacific yew
Where is Pacific yew native?
Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) is native to Alaska. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Pacific yew bloom?
Pacific yew blooms Jun-Jul, inconspicuous flowers. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Pacific yew need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: Dry, Moist. Soil: Moist soils. Mature height: Up to 80 ft, typically 15-50 ft.
Is Pacific yew good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Birds eat/disperse seed coverings, source of Taxol (cancer drug), nearly all parts toxic.
Is Pacific yew deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Pacific yew is drought-tolerant and tolerates shade.
Is Pacific yew toxic?
highly toxic — nearly all plant parts toxic to humans (except the fleshy red aril); source of Taxol.
Where can I buy Pacific yew?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 15 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Taxus brevifolia by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Pacific yew.
- Red huckleberry Vaccinium parvifolium
- Mountain hemlock Tsuga mertensiana
- Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis
- Beach strawberry Fragaria chiloensis
- Water birch Betula occidentalis
- Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis
Also listed under
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