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Species Details

Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »

LeavesLinear; 2-3 mm wide; sheathing at base (Moss, 1983). Grass-like; 10-40 cm long; smooth; finely rough margin; 2-4 reduced stem leaves (E-Flora BC). FlowersUnbranched, elongated inflorescence; mature bottom upwards (raceme); tepals creamish white; egg-shaped; round at apex; 4-5 mm long; thin gland; stamens fused to base of tepals (Moss, 1983). Inner 3 tepals longer than outer 3; fland near base above claw; 6 stamens (E-Flora BC). Fruits and SeedsCapsule; elliptic in shape (Moss, 1983). 0.8-1.5 cm long; numerous brown seeds; 5-6 mm long (E-Flora BC).
Scientific Name Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats. Common Name death camas (Moss, 1983). General Description A perennial herb that grows from an ovoid bulb to a height of 20-35 cm tall; bears creamish white flowers (Moss, 1983). Leaves Linear; 2-3 mm wide; sheathing at base (Moss, 1983). Grass-like; 10-40 cm long; smooth; finely rough margin; 2-4 reduced stem leaves (E-Flora BC). Flowers
Unbranched, elongated inflorescence; mature bottom upwards (raceme); tepals creamish white; egg-shaped; round at apex; 4-5 mm long; thin gland; stamens fused to base of tepals (Moss, 1983). Inner 3 tepals longer than outer…
Unbranched, elongated inflorescence; mature bottom upwards (raceme); tepals creamish white; egg-shaped; round at apex; 4-5 mm long; thin gland; stamens fused to base of tepals (Moss, 1983). Inner 3 tepals longer than outer 3; fland near base above claw; 6 stamens (E-Flora BC).
Fruits and Seeds Capsule; elliptic in shape (Moss, 1983). 0.8-1.5 cm long; numerous brown seeds; 5-6 mm long (E-Flora BC). Phenology April to July (JSTOR). Notes
2n=22 (Moss, 1983). This species is also known as Zigadenus venenosus var. gamineu and as Toxicoscordion venenosus (Moss, 1983). This species contains the poisonous alkaloid zygadenine which is deadly to humans and…
2n=22 (Moss, 1983). This species is also known as Zigadenus venenosus var. gamineu and as Toxicoscordion venenosus (Moss, 1983). This species contains the poisonous alkaloid zygadenine which is deadly to humans and cattle; two bulbs raw or cooked can cause death (Johnson et al., 1995).
Range/Distribution Alberta: Southern border of the province (Canadensys). CAN (BC, SK); USA (WA, OR, ID, MT, ND, SD, WY, CA, NV, UT, CO, NM, NE) (USDA).

Citation

Page Citation for Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

Page Citation

"Species Details - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-5530/12-14117. Accessed 04 Apr. 2025.

Specimen Information

There are 14 specimens of this Species.

8 results plotted on map in 7 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

108151 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Porcupine Hills Date Collected1982-06-17

108152 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump Date Collected1982-06-08

108153 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump Date Collected1982-06-14

102167 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Frank Date Collected1962-06-16

73002 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Saskatchewan, Harptree Date Collected1958-06-04

73001 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Saskatchewan, Tompkins Date Collected1958-06-13

36801 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Washington, Skamania County, Hamilton Mountain Date Collected1939-05-28

39732 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Wyoming, Billy Creek Date Collected1969-06-05

95729 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Montana, Meagher County, Mount Elmo Date Collected1992-06-12

124687 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Porcupine Hills Date Collected1965-07-01

124688 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Porcupine Hills Date Collected1981-07-02

124689 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Porcupine Hills Date Collected1981-07-02

128468 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Blakiston Creek Date Collected1972-06-05

134711 - Zigadenus venenosus S. Wats.

University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium

Common Namedeath camas (Moss, 1983). Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Bear Hill, Victoria Date Collected1973-05-07