Foothill Death Camas (Toxicoscordion paniculatum, syn. Zigadenus paniculatus)

The Foothill Death Camas.  Photo by David Kenison, Battle Creek Trailhead, 5/6/14

The Foothill Death Camas (also called panicled death camas or sand-corn) is an early bloomer, blossoming in May and June at lower elevations in the Wasatch and throughout the western United States. It's a member of the lily family, and is distinguished by long grass-like leaves growing from the base, and a single erect flower stalk with a cluster of small white or cream blooms. It grows from an oval-shaped bulb.

A related species is Toxicoscordion venenosum (syn. Zigadenus venenosus), commonly called meadow deathcamas.

As the name might suggest, the Death Camas is highly poisonous to animals and humans.  The plant is a problem for grazing animals such as sheep, though they often avoid it because it is unpalatable; incidents can occur when an area is over-grazed and other plants are not available.  Occasionally humans have been affected when they confuse the plant with similar-looking wild onions of the genus Allium particularly before or after blooming. While the bulb and stem of the plant look very similar to the wild onion, the bulb has none of the characteristic onion smell. Symptoms of poisoning from death camas include vomiting, weakness, decrease in blood pressure, pupil dilation, and diarrhea. If a large amount is ingested, the result can be seizure, coma, and death.

There is some indication that members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1805 may have been accidentally poisoned by death camas. When food was scarce, the explorers were given bulbs of a plant by the Nez Perce tribe who believed they were from the edible blue camas plant.  But since the time was past bloom, they could easily have been mistaken.  Most of the group were seriously ill for several weeks after this incident.

Enjoy the attractive blooms of this plant, but don't even think of tasting it!

These photographs were taken by the author on 5/6/14 near the base of the Battle Creek Trail in Pleasant Grove, UT.  Click on the photos to view details.

Additional links:
USDA description

From the US Wildflowers site; includes description of classification changes