Japanese Yew – Taxus cuspidata var. Pendula

Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) is an outdoor ornamental that is winter-hardy across North America, into southern Canada. This shrub contains toxic quantities of the alkaloid taxine. Taxine is a complex mixture of alkaloids that is rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract and interferes with heart action. Leaves, twigs, and seeds are toxic. Only the red arils, the fleshy outer parts of the fruits, are considered nontoxic.

Cattle and horses became ill and died after ingesting the leaves and twigs of Japanese yew. In two cases in Ontario, several cattle died after gaining access to shrubs around houses or after being given hedge trimmings. [2]

A common ornamental in Japan and North America (since its introduction to the U.S. in 1833), it is easily shaped into hedges and topiary. Considered the hardiest, fastest-growing and easiest to cultivate of all yews. In Japan, it was formerly valued for piles and foundations, cabinetry, finish carpentry, woodcarving, water tanks, pails, bathtubs, trays, chopsticks, clogs, and for bows (for which it was also used by the Ainu).

References
1. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.
2. Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System Taxus cuspidata