Death-camas are perennial herbs with concentric-layered bulbs, with a simple stem, leafy at base and with reduced leaves or membranous bracts above. The leaves are linear, mostly growing at the base, usually hairless and often waxy-coated. The flowers are arranged in an elongated cluster, erect to spreading, colored white to yellow-green. The 6 flower parts, also called tepals, are nearly broadly flared to shallowly bell-shaped, the segments from ovate to oblong-lanceolate in shape, alike but often the outer series the shorter, with a yellow or greenish gland near the often more or less narrowed stalked base. There are 6 stamens, with the parts attached on the receptacle below the ovary, or with the parts attached on a disk surrounding the ovary. They are equal to or longer than the tepals, the filaments usually broadened toward the base. The anthers are cordate-reniform, facing outward, the pollen sacs joining. The ovary is situated on top to about 1/3 situated underneath the attachment of the tepals. There are 3 styles, which are separated. The capsules contain several to many, smooth seeds. The genus consists of about 15 species of N. America and Asia. The name comes from the Greek zugon, yoke, and aden, gland, in reference to the paired or yoked gland of the tepals that most species have.
Guide to Identify Presented Species of Genus Zigadenus
FLOWERS ABOUT 2 CM BROAD
Z. elegans – Mountain Death-camas Stem 15-70 cm tall, waxy-coated. Moist forests, meadows, montane-alpine.
Flowers white, about 2 cm wide, with inner green, heart-shaped markings.
Leaves mainly basal, grass-like, keeled. All parts highly poisonous.
FLOWERS ABOUT 1 CM BROAD
Z. venenosus – Meadow Death-camas Stem 20-50 cm tall. Moist forests, meadows, montane-alpine.
Flowers greenish-white, about 1.5 cm wide, with inner green, oval markings.
Leaves mainly basal, grass-like, keeled. All parts highly poisonous.
