About

Toxicoscordion venenosum, with the common names death camas and meadow death camas, is a species of flowering plant in the family Melanthiaceae. It grows up to 70 centimetres (27+1⁄2 in) tall. Both its common names and its scientific name reference its toxic qualities.

The species is native to western North America. Because its nectar is poisonous, it is mainly pollinated by the death camas miner bee.

Safety

Toxicoscordion venenosum has a well-deserved poisonous reputation. The main toxic alkaloid contained in the plants is zygacine, but other esters of zygadenine develop in the plant as the seed pods ripen. While they are not easily confused with other species while in bloom they can easily be mistaken for edible bulbs like those of the camas lily in the Pacific Northwest once the leaves and flowering stems have faded. As few as two bulbs are sufficient to kill a fully-grown human, with the poisons not degraded by cooking. The toxins also remain stable when dried and stored, with bulbs remaining toxic for two decades after collection. The seeds and the bulbs are the most toxic parts of the plants. A survivor of poisoning said of the experience, "My mouth got tingly, and later the sensation moved down my throat."

Human poisonings are rare. Symptoms of poisoning are numerous. The first symptom is watering of the mouth followed by numbness of the lips and mouth. Other possible gastric symptoms include thirst, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Where it grows

Meadow death camas is found through much of western North America. In Canada it is found in three western provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. In the United States, it grows from the West Coast to the Rocky Mountains (with the exception of Arizona). This includes California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. It also grows in the Mexican state of Baja California.