Toxicoscordion venenosum, with the common names death camas and meadow death camas, is a species of flowering plants in the genus Toxicoscordion, of the Melanthiaceae family. It is native to western North America.
The plant is called alapí?a? in Sahaptin, and nupqasaqu? ("nup-ka-sa-qush") in Ktunaxa).
Video Toxicoscordion venenosum
Description
Toxicoscordion venenosum grows up to 70 cm tall with long, basal, grass-like leaves. The bulbs are oval and look like onions but do not smell like edible onions of the genus Allium.
The flowers are cream coloured or white and grow in pointed clusters, flowering between April and July.
Maps Toxicoscordion venenosum
Varieties
Varieties include:
- Toxicoscordion venenosum var. gramineum (Rydb.) Brasher
- Toxicoscordion venenosum var. venenosum -- a variety or the solo current species classification
Distribution
The plant is widespread across much of Western Canada, the Western United States, and northern Baja California (México). They tend to grow in dry meadows and on dry hillsides as well as sagebrush slopes and montane forests.
Toxicity
All parts of the plant are poisonous. It is dangerous for humans as well as livestock. Consumption of 2% to 6% of the body weight of the animal is likely to be fatal. Along with other alkaloids, zygacine and other toxic esters of zygadenine are the primary neurotoxic alkaloids contributing to the plant's toxicity.
References
External links
- Calflora Database: Toxicoscordion venenosum (Meadow deathcamas)
- Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Toxicoscordion venenosum var. venenosum
- USDA Plants Profile for Zigadenus venenosus var. venenosus (meadow deathcamas)
- Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center: Zigadenus venenosus (Meadow death camas, death camas)
- Turner Photographics, Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest: Zigadenus venenosus (Meadow death camas)
- UC Photos gallery -- Toxicoscordion venenosum
Source of article : Wikipedia
0 Comments