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Toxicoscordion venenosum

meadow deathcamas

Melanthiaceae Western North America

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Toxicoscordion venenosum is a bulb-forming perennial in the bunchflower family growing 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall from a deep, onion-like bulb. The grass-like basal leaves are 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long, narrow, V-shaped in cross section, and folded along the midrib, emerging early in spring. A single unbranched stem rises above the leaves bearing a dense raceme of cream to greenish-white star-shaped flowers, each 0.3-0.5 inch (8-12 mm) across with six tepals marked by a greenish-yellow gland at the base. The flowers open from the bottom of the cluster upward in late spring. All parts of the plant, especially the bulb and seeds, contain zygacine and related alkaloids that are highly toxic to people, livestock, and some pollinators; the bulb has been mistaken for edible camas and wild onion, causing serious poisonings. T. venenosum grows in meadows, grasslands, sagebrush flats, and open slopes across western North America, often in ground that is moist in spring and dry by summer. The plant goes dormant and disappears by midsummer, leaving no top growth. The bulb carries no onion smell, which sets it apart from true wild onions.

Native Range

Toxicoscordion venenosum is native to western North America, from British Columbia south through the western United States to California and east to the northern Rockies. It grows in meadows, grasslands, sagebrush flats, and open slopes that are moist in spring.

Suggested Uses

Toxicoscordion venenosum is grown mainly in native plant, restoration, and grassland plantings rather than ornamental beds, because of its toxicity. It adds early spring flowers to meadow and prairie settings. Its presence is generally discouraged in pastures and areas grazed by livestock due to the poisoning risk.

How to Identify

Look for grass-like, V-folded basal leaves in early spring and a single stem topped with a dense cluster of cream to greenish-white star-shaped flowers, each with a green gland at the tepal base. The bulb resembles a small onion but has no onion odor. The lack of onion smell and the greenish glands separate it from edible wild onions and from camas (Camassia spp.), which has blue flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'

Width/Spread4" - 8"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring

Cream to greenish-white flowers open in spring, roughly April to June, from the base of the cluster upward. They are visited by native bees and other insects despite the plant toxicity. Dry seed capsules follow in early summer before the plant goes dormant.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream to greenish-white

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Toxicoscordion venenosum grows in full sun to light shade in meadow and grassland soils that are moist in spring and dry in summer. The bulb sits deep in the soil and sends up leaves early, flowers in spring, then dies back and stays dormant through the dry season. It tolerates a range of soils and needs no summer water once the foliage fades. The plant spreads slowly by seed and offset bulbs and is rarely cultivated because every part is highly toxic. All parts contain alkaloids that are dangerous to people and grazing animals if eaten. It persists for many years in undisturbed native grassland.

Pruning

No pruning is needed. The foliage and flower stalk die back on their own in early summer and can be left in place or cleared once brown. Removing spent flower heads before seed set reduces unwanted spread.