About

Amianthium is a genus of perennial monocot plants found in eastern North America. The genus contains only one species, known as Amianthium muscitoxicum. Its common names include "fly poison" and "stagger grass". The species name muscitoxicum comes from a direct Latin translation of "fly poison": muscae = flies, toxicum = poison. The entire plant is poisonous to an array of species, including humans, and the bulb is particularly toxic. A. muscitoxicum was first recorded by Thomas Walter in his work Flora Caroliniana in 1788.

Safety

Amianthium muscitoxicum contains toxic alkaloids, and as such, is highly poisonous when ingested by livestock, humans and other animals. Four toxic alkaloids were isolated from the plant in 1953: jervine, two unknown ester alkaloids, and amianthine (an alkamine). These compounds are found in all parts of the plant, with especially high concentrations in the bulbs.

Historical experiments tested the toxicity on sheep and cattle. Observed symptoms included cessation of eating and excess production of saliva, nausea followed by vomiting, rapid pulse, rapid and irregular respiration, weakness, and difficulty walking. When fatal, death occurred in about an hour. This is the origin for "stagger grass" as a common name for this plant.

Where it grows

Amianthium muscitoxicum is native to the eastern United States from New York to Florida and can be found as far west as Missouri and Oklahoma. Its native habitats include oak forests, bogs, low pinelands, savannas, meadows, and sandhills.

Uses

Amianthium muscitoxicum's common name "fly poison," comes from its use by early colonists as a way to control flies. The bulbs can be ground down and mixed with something sweet, such as molasses or honey, to attract flies. When flies drink it, they become unstable and have difficulty moving. After 24 hours or so, if the flies have not been removed, the poison will wear and off and they are seemingly fine.