Mountain Death-camas

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Mountain Death-camas

Zigadenus elegans

Common Names: Mountain Death-camas, Elegant Death-camas
Family: Melanthiaceae (Trillium)
Flowering Season (Bryce Region): June - August
Size: 6-28" (15-70 cm)
Range: Alaska to New Mexico and east onto the Great Plains

General Description

Although a very attractive member of the lily family, all parts of this plant are poisonous. The flowers are small, consisting of 6 white to creamy petal-like segments arranged in a star shape. The flowers are also noted for having two very small green dots at each "petal's" base. Very long and narrow grayish to green leaves grow almost entirely from the lower part of the plant and may have purple edges at the base. The main stems vary in color from grayish purple to grayish green.

Habitat

The Mountain Death-camas can be found in mountain meadows, rocky slopes, and forests at elevations ranging from 6,000 - 12,000 feet (1829 - 3659 meters). In Bryce Canyon, they can be seen along the Mossy Cave trail.

Plant Lore

Hungry early settlers sometimes mistakenly thought the bulbs of this species were those of wild onions or Sego Lilies and would then eat them with deadly results. This plant is also deadly to cattle and especially sheep.

Further Reading

U.S. Forest Service - Mountain Death-camas