Taxus baccata L. (Yew), c1903 -1915. Yew is one of the plants where the poison is not destroyed when the plant dies. Branches removed from a yew by high winds or pruning will retain their poison. Though the berries are harmless, the seed within is highly toxic. Unbroken it will pass through the body without being digested but if the seed is chewed poisoning can occur with as few as three berries.