Copyright © 1995 Brother Eric Vogel, St. Mary's College
Rocky Mountain Death Camus
Zigadenus paniculatus (Nutt.) S. Wats.
Rocky Mountian death camas is a native, cool-season, perennial forb. Its peduncle is from 8 to 21 inches long; acaulescent leaves are from 12 to 20 inches (30-50 cm) long. The roots are fibrous, growing from the base of a "deep-set" underground bulb. The inflorescence is a raceme of polygamous flowers. The fruit is a capsule. Rocky Mountian death camas reproduces from seed or vegetatively by bulb offsets. It grows in dry, loamy to gravelly soils. It is found at 4,000 to 7,500 feet.
Humans are occasionally poisoned after consuming death camas bulbs.
