Species Details
Zigadenus gramineus Rydb.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
LeavesLinear; 2-3 mm wide; sheathing at base, 10-40 cm long; rough margin; 2-4 reduced stem leaves; bract-like distally.
FlowersElongated inflorescence; flowers mature bottom upwards; tepals creamish-white, narrowly ovate, 4-5mm long; thin gland; obtuse at apex. Stalks 0.5-3 cm long; flowers bell-shaped; 6 tepals; inner three slightly longer than outer three; 6 stamens more or less adnate to base of tepals; 1 pistil with 3 locules.
Fruits and SeedsCapsule; oblong-elliptic. 0.8-1.5 cm long; 3 lobes; seeds brown; 5-6 mm long.
Scientific Name
Zigadenus gramineus Rydb.
Common Name
death camas
General Description
A perennial herb that grows a slender stem, 20-35 cm tall from an oval-shaped bulb.
Leaves
Linear; 2-3 mm wide; sheathing at base, 10-40 cm long; rough margin; 2-4 reduced stem leaves; bract-like distally.
Flowers
Elongated inflorescence; flowers mature bottom upwards; tepals creamish-white, narrowly ovate, 4-5mm long; thin gland; obtuse at apex. Stalks 0.5-3 cm long; flowers bell-shaped; 6 tepals; inner three slightly longer than…
Elongated inflorescence; flowers mature bottom upwards; tepals creamish-white, narrowly ovate, 4-5mm long; thin gland; obtuse at apex. Stalks 0.5-3 cm long; flowers bell-shaped; 6 tepals; inner three slightly longer than outer three; 6 stamens more or less adnate to base of tepals; 1 pistil with 3 locules.
Fruits and Seeds
Capsule; oblong-elliptic. 0.8-1.5 cm long; 3 lobes; seeds brown; 5-6 mm long.
Phenology
Flowering April-July.
Notes
2n=22.
Not edible; very poisonous to livestock.
Range/Distribution
Alberta: southern border and along foothills. CAN (BC, SK); USA (WA, OR, ID, UT, MT, WY, CO, NM, ND, SD, NE).
Citation
Page Citation for Zigadenus gramineus Rydb.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Zigadenus gramineus Rydb., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-4357. Accessed 09 Apr. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 5 specimens of this Species.
36795 - Zigadenus gramineus Rydb.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namedeath camas
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Red Rock Canyon
Date Collected1941-06-02
100200 - Zigadenus gramineus Rydb.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namedeath camas
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park
Date Collected1956-06-28
72423 - Zigadenus gramineus Rydb.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namedeath camas
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, RB Miller Biological Station
Date Collected1966-07-08
116493 - Zigadenus gramineus Rydb.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namedeath camas
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Montana, Liberty County, Little Sage Creek
Date Collected1976-05-30
118763 - Zigadenus gramineus Rydb.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namedeath camas
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, RB Miller Biological Station
Date Collected1967-07-07