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EXPLORE > PLANTS > ANGIOSPERMS
Toxicoscordion venenosum
Although beautiful, and often used as an ornamental species in urban areas, if ingested nearly every part of this plant is poisonous to people and animals. In fact, the Latin words of its scientific name basically translate to “toxic venom.” Cattle and sheep are most likely to be effected when they accidentally browse on this plant, but there are occasional poisonings of people, usually when deathcamas is mistaken for an edible species like common camas or wild onions. Results of poisoning can include nausea, convulsions, coma and death.
Deathcamas forms from an onion-like bulb which produces V-shaped leaves covered in stiff white hairs. They are one of the first plants to appear in the springtime, often in early March. By the following month, they are producing conical-shaped flower clusters. The flowers are cream colored. The plant will become dormant as the weather becomes drier.
As with all wild species, you should not eat any plant without knowing for certain that it is edible.
Distribution
Deathcamas is native throughout the western part of Canada, United States and Mexico (Baja California). It is a frequent inhabitant of coastal and dry meadows, grasslands, riparian areas, woodlands and forests.
Conservation Status
Common.
Toxicoscordion venenosum
Although beautiful, and often used as an ornamental species in urban areas, if ingested nearly every part of this plant is poisonous to people and animals. In fact, the Latin words of its scientific name basically translate to “toxic venom.” Cattle and sheep are most likely to be effected when they accidentally browse on this plant, but there are occasional poisonings of people, usually when deathcamas is mistaken for an edible species like common camas or wild onions. Results of poisoning can include nausea, convulsions, coma and death.
Deathcamas forms from an onion-like bulb which produces V-shaped leaves covered in stiff white hairs. They are one of the first plants to appear in the springtime, often in early March. By the following month, they are producing conical-shaped flower clusters. The flowers are cream colored. The plant will become dormant as the weather becomes drier.
As with all wild species, you should not eat any plant without knowing for certain that it is edible.
Distribution
Deathcamas is native throughout the western part of Canada, United States and Mexico (Baja California). It is a frequent inhabitant of coastal and dry meadows, grasslands, riparian areas, woodlands and forests.
Conservation Status
Common.
