Zigadenus

The Deathcamases or Star Lilies are the genus Zigadenus of flowering plants.

Deathcamases are perennial plants growing from a bulb or rhizome. In most cases they have long narrow leaves that grow from the base of the plant. The flowers are bisexual; they have six petals and are radially symmetrical, and in the best known species are white or yellowish-white. Members of the genus are found in North America and Asia.

All members of the genus are at least unpalatable to livestock because of alkaloids present especially in the bulbs. As the name Deathcamas suggests, some are seriously toxic to both animals and humans. Deathcamas can cause convulsions, coma, and death.


Some Species
Mountain Deathcamas (Zigadenus elegans), also known as Elegant Camas, is a flowering plant of the genus Zigadenus. It has white lily-like flowers and two-pronged, greenish-yellow glands on each petal (the shape of which can help in distinguishing it from other members of the genus). It is widely distributed throughout North America and occurs in many habitats. Plants on the western side of the continent tend to be smaller in size than their eastern counterparts, but have more densely clustered flowers.

Zigadenus exaltatus, the Giant Deathcamas, is a flowering plant in the genus Zigadenus.

Zigadenus fremontii, known as the common star lily, Fremont's deathcamas or star zigadene, is an attractive wildflower found on grassy or woody slopes, or rocky outcrops, in many lower-lying regions of California, southern Oregon, and northern Baja California. Like other deathcamases, Z. fremontii grows from a more or less spherical bulb, which in this species has a diameter of 20–35 mm. Its leaves can reach up to half a metre in length, but are normally more like half that. They grow from the base of the plant. Flowers, which can be seen from March to June, grow in clusters. They have six petals (strictly, three petals and three very similar sepals), arranged symmetrically, giving rise to the name star-lily. Each flower is 1–4 cm across.

Zigadenus venenosus - The Death Camas or Meadow Deathcamas is a flowering plant in the genus Zigadenus. Up to 70 cm tall with long, basal, grass-like leaves. The bulbs are oval and look like onions but do not smell like onions. The flowers are cream coloured or white and grow in pointed clusters[3], flowering between April and July. Death camas occurs in some parts of western North America[1] and can be easily confused with edible onions of genus Allium. They tend to grow in dry meadows and on dry hillsides as well as sagebrush slopes and montane forests. All parts of the plant are poisonous. It is dangerous for humans as well as livestock, though some poisoned by it have been treated.

Zigadenus micranthus, the Smallflower Deathcamas, is a flowering plant in the genus Zigadenus.

Zigadenus densus - Osceola's Plume

Zigadenus glaberrimus - Sandbog Deathcamas

Zigadenus mogollonensis - Mogoll Deathcamas

Zigadenus brevibracteatus - Desert Deathcamas

Zigadenus nuttallii - Nuttall's Deathcamas

Zigadenus vaginatus - Sheathed Deathcamas

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