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Hi Jim & All, Nov 29, 2007
That Yew berries are 'nasty and poisonous to humans' is the germ of
a new myth. The pulp of the fruit of our native Yew (_Taxus canadensis_)
is delicious in season [early in the summer I think] as a nibble. One
should not chew or swallow the single seed because these seeds can
contain a toxin (Taxine) [and you might break a tooth ?].
My 1895 Warming (Systematic Botany) says of _Taxus baccata_ that
"The shoots are poisonous but not the aril, which is often eaten by
children.." So, assuming that children would often swallow the seeds, I
wonder if even the toxicity of our Yew seed is conditional on
pretreatment of some kind, e.g. picked from wilted shoots. The Merck
Index 9th ed., refers to Taxine being extracted from _T. baccata_
needles and fruit with references going back to 1856.
The wilted foliage of our Yew is reputed to be toxic to livestock
but Yew (eaten fresh) is a favourite winter food of deer.
It is prudent to be cautious when testing wild foods but also when
reading about wild foods. There is much misinformation in circulation
(e.g. the 1977 Museum publication, Edible wild plants of Nova Scotia, by
MacLeod & MacDonald has many unfortunate lapses) so sorting fact from
fiction is difficult.
All the more reason to not launch a new myth.
Yours truly, Dave Webster, Kentville
Jim Wolford wrote:
> Yew "berries" are nasty and poisonous to humans, but are quite popular
> with certain or many kinds of birds, e.g. pine grosbeaks, robins,
> etc.? More fodder against the old myth that one can tell what plants
> are edible by watching the wildlife.
>
> Cheers from Jim in Wolfville
> ----------
> From: Patrick Giffin <barpat@ns.sympatico.ca>
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:28:38 -0400
> Subject: Hermit Thrush and yew "berries" -- Kingston
>
> Hello:
> A Hermit Thrush was at our feeders Wed 28Nov. 1631-1658. It searched
> through the rejected seeds and seed husks under the Black-oil
> Sunflower Seed feeder then to the base of the Cedar Hedge more
> foraging. It did not approach the grapes and apples that we put out
> on Sat.. This fruit has disappeared likely the racoons and/or , or
> squirrels or crows.
> Today the H. Thrush went into the Japanese Yew, which has small, soft,
> red, fruit on it. This bush is very dense and when we first sighted a
> Hermit Thrush on Sat. 24Nov. we hoped that the thrush would use the
> yew for a roost and the fruit for food. This evening, 28Nov., is the
> first time we saw it enter the yew.
> Sightings: approx. 0800 Sat., 24Nov, & Sun., 25Nov, 1631-1658, 28Nov
> Bird appears in good condition, very energetic.
> Barbara and Pat
>
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