>While there are meds derived from compounds first found in certain
>plants it is also possible for other compounds in those SAME plants
>to be poisonous.  For instance, you will notice that yew is included
>in a list by a specialist -- Dr. Jill Richardson, a Veterinary Poison
>Information Specialist with the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control
>Center -- in poisons found among members of Carnivora to be dangerous.
 
All parts of the Yew / Taxus is poisonous to cattle and horses, most
birds depend on the berries and dispense the seed whole, yet it is only
the pheasant family that can eat the seeds without any harm to them self
or to flesh becoming toxic.
 
It is the same with other plants, both botanists and doctors are still
finding that by going back to plants once thought insignificant they are
finding more drugs they can use.
[Posted in FML issue 3952]