Meadow Deathcamas
ExplorePlants
Meadow Deathcamas
Toxicoscordion venenosum
Meadow Deathcamas is a beautiful plant with white flowers that grow in meadows. But be careful! This plant is very poisonous and should not be touched or eaten.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Meadow Deathcamas has a slender stem topped with a cluster of many small, pale yellow to creamy white, star-shaped flowers. Its narrow, grass-like leaves grow from the base, making it easy to mistake for edible wild onions before it blooms.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderLilialesFamilyMelanthiaceaeGenusToxicoscordion
Category
PlantsRarity
Rare
Danger
5/5 · Extreme
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Early settlers sometimes used its highly poisonous bulb to make a deadly arrow poison.
Even a tiny bite of this plant can be deadly for humans and many animals.
Its scientific name, Toxicoscordion, literally means 'toxic garlic,' warning of its danger!
Some insects, like certain beetle larvae, can actually munch on this toxic plant safely.
Special abilities
Ability
Toxic Shield
Meadow Deathcamas can produce deadly toxins that make it unpalatable or even fatal to animals attempting to eat it.
Ability
Underground Powerhouse
Meadow Deathcamas has a bulb deep underground that stores energy, helping it survive droughts and reappear each spring.
Ability
Tricky Impersonator
Meadow Deathcamas has leaves that look very similar to edible wild onions, which can confuse hungry animals.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-60 cm
- Spread
- 5-15 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Deadly
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
Cattle
Bos taurus
Ingesting it can cause severe illness or death.
eaten by
Domestic Sheep
Ovis aries
Highly vulnerable to its potent toxic compounds.
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits its creamy white flowers to collect nectar.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Toxic
Toxic organisms contain substances that are poisonous and can cause adverse effects upon exposure.
Poisonous
Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
5/5 · Extreme
Do not touch or eat any part of this plant. Always ask an adult if you're unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Meadow Deathcamas?
10-60 cm
How wide does Meadow Deathcamas spread?
5-15 cm
How big are the flowers on Meadow Deathcamas?
0.5-1.5 cm
When does Meadow Deathcamas bloom?
Spring to early summer
Is Meadow Deathcamas edible?
No
Is Meadow Deathcamas toxic?
Deadly
What is Meadow Deathcamas's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Meadow Deathcamas pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
Where to spot
Park44 sightings10 species
British Columbia, CA
Dionisio Point Provincial Park
You might spot Broad-Leaved Stonecrop, Harbor Seal, and Ochre Sea Star.
View guide →
Park21 sightings8 species
British Columbia, CA
Simson Provincial Park
You might spot Douglas Fir, Pacific Madrone, and Rough-Skinned Newt.
View guide →
Park10 sightings1 species
British Columbia, CA
Sooke Mountain Provincial Park
You might spot Broad-Leaved Stonecrop and Western Rattlesnake Plantain.
View guide →
