Zigadenus venenosus L. zigadenus, Gr. zygos, a yoke; aden, a gland; venenosus, very poisonous

Description. Meadow Death-Camas is a perennial lily growing 20-60cm (8-24”) tall, from a scaly bulb. It has narrow grass-like leaves that grow up from the lower part of the plant and creamy-white spring flowers that clump at the top of a single stem. The blooms smell fowl. Death-Camus can be found on dry plateaus, grassy hillsides and meadows that are wet in spring. It is easily found on the East side of Knox Mountain Park.

Historical plant use. The bulbs were mashed and used as arrow poison.

Unusual aspects of this plant. As the name suggests, Meadow Death-Camus is highly poisonous and can cause deaths to grazing animals.