[NatureNS] yew bush with "berries"

From: "Sandy Hiltz" <birddog@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
References: <C32BAA49-1331-4F54-974B-1F50627214F5@eastlink.ca> <AANLkTikJ07boR0o7QDAkXfx1vp6iBy9Vor4q3q-es6Aa@mail.gmail.com> <4CBF7083.9020801@ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:11:41 -0300
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects

Index of Subjects
There is an island in a lake in Yarmouth County where the forest floor, of the interior, of the island is completely covered with 
Canadian Yew. IF and when I get back there I will take some pictures and share them with y'all.

Sandy


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joan Czapalay" <joancz@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Cc: "Burkhard Plache" <burkhardplache@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 7:43 PM
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] yew bush with "berries"


> Hi Burkhard and all, The path to the west side of Bon Portage Island was lined with tall thick Canadian Yew ( Taxus canadensis) 
> when I started going to the island in the 1980's. It was unusual then to see a deer on the island. Now deer are quite plentiful at 
> times, and there are no longer any Yew to be found. We observed that the bushes were browsed by the deer, and presumed they were 
> immune to the toxin, as are the hares to the Amanita mushrooms.
> Cheers, Joan
>
>
>
> On 10/20/2010 3:13 PM, Burkhard Plache wrote:
>> As far as I know:
>>
>> For humans, the red part of the 'berry' is the only non poisonous
>> part of yew, regardless of species.
>> Ornarmentals are often Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew).
>>
>> It is possible to make a jelly from the red seed (not cone) coat,
>> but the difficult part is making sure to properly separate the seed.
>> I would not experiment myself.
>>
>> Even working on yew wood (sanding) can be problematic.
>> 100 grams of foliage may suffice to kill you.
>> If you survive, permanent damage to inner organs (esp. liver) is likely.
>>
>> Various deer species browse yew without problem,
>> cattle are somewhat and horses very negatively affected when digesting yew.
>>
>> Sadly, native yew is hard to find, some people claim due to browsing by deer.
>> I am wondering if yew was more plentiful before white tailed deer arrived.
>>
>> - Burkhard
>>
> 

next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects