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Is it true that the yew berry is not poisonous - only the seed itself:?
David

I've read that but I don't fancy testing it. Anyway, if yew berries were such a delicacy Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall would have made a coulis out of them to serve with roast wild partridge by now.

Right. This is a 'kids, don't try this at home' moment.

Yew is poisonous. Every bit of the tree - except the fleshy red bit around the seed. The toxin it contains affects the heart, and if you were to even nick a seed whilst eating the flesh, you could potentially kill yourself. Not to be messed with really, there are plenty of far safer wild foods to be had.

Having said that, I have tried it. The flesh is snotty, sticky, and slightly sweet and fruity. You can see why birds love it, but then they're immune to the toxin which is so dangerous to us. I wouldn't recommend anyone to give it a go though. Honestly.

No really, don't.

My reading confirms that the red flesh is not poisonous, but the seed itself is. But look at the birds - they eat the whole thing, and just shit out the pip, undigested. Not saying that this would happen if we tried it - just interesting to note. It maybe means the species of tree wouldn't have survived if the red flesh was not specifically non-toxic. Evolved symbiosis.

I had thought that Richard Mabey mentioned yew in Food For Free, but it doesn't seem to be in there.

Be sure to let us know if your trials prove to be fatal, won't you.

I bet you probably read it in Plants for a Future Muddypause. He confirms what Hedgehogpie has said! Ken Fern loves the things.

Just a small note, they are not good for birds with a crop such as chooks and pheasants as the grit grinds the seeds and releases the poisons!

pskipper wrote:Just a small note, they are not good for birds with a crop such as chooks and pheasants as the grit grinds the seeds and releases the poisons!

Makes sense!

Nev

Muddypause wrote:My reading confirms that the red flesh is not poisonous, but the seed itself is.

Be sure to let us know if your trials prove to be fatal, won't you.

I did eat the flesh - spat the pip and I am not a ghost writer - I think -[therefore I am]

Gidday

And some reckon tanning a hide is dangerous. David, you are either braver or more stupid than me but I think it would have to be the first of those.

I recently planted a yew hedge (well 3 years ago, which is recent for yews!)

And when I was looking up cheap sources for the saplings I found out that there is a lot of research going on into the toxicity, and in particular how very small amounts might be medically benfical particulary for heart conditions. A bit like foxglove I suppose.

The point being, if you have a big enough hedge there are people who will actually come and collect the trimmings off yew (sorry couldn't help it).

It is also being used to treat breast ovarian and lung cancer under the trade name of Taxol.
Yes, I have eaten the fleshy parts (arils) and yes, they were nice - although a little slimy as someone already mentioned. Incidentally,although the hundreds of species of yew have red arils, there is only one that has yellow arils, Taxus baccata Fructo Lutea, and if anyone finds a plant PLEASE TELL ME! I have been searching for months, I got some cuttings on the go but I'm not noted for my patience