Also known as Common Death Camas · Death Camas · Death Chamomile
Safety note: This plant may be toxic to humans and pets. See toxicity details.
Meadow Deathcamas (Toxicoscordion venenosum) is a highly toxic perennial herb native to western North America, featuring small white flowers.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering.
Moderate to Low
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry between waterings; reduce in dormancy.
Well-drained, sandy loam
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers temperate climates; requires a cold period for dormancy.
Very Low
10% intensity
Does not require regular fertilization; thrives in lean soil.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
All parts of the plant are toxic. Contains toxic alkaloids, particularly zygacine and related compounds.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water sparingly once established, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to bulb rot, especially during dormancy. In containers, water when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry.
Reduce watering significantly in late summer and autumn as the plant enters its dormant period.
Pruning is minimal. Remove spent flower stalks after blooming to prevent seed formation, which can encourage unwanted seedlings and divert energy from the bulb.
Any yellowing or dead foliage should be tidied up in late autumn or early winter, after the plant has naturally died back.
Propagate by separating offsets from the parent bulb during dormancy, typically in late summer or early autumn. Seeds can be sown in autumn, but germination is slow and erratic.
Corms should be planted at a depth of approximately 5-10 cm in well-draining soil.
Repotting is rarely necessary unless the plant is overcrowded in a container or its drainage is poor. If repotting, do so during dormancy in late summer or early autumn. Use a well-draining potting mix.
Ensure the new pot is only slightly larger than the current one to avoid excessive moisture retention.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Meadow Deathcamas (Toxicoscordion venenosum)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Liliales |
| Family | Melanthiaceae |
| Genus | Toxicoscordion |
| Species | Toxicoscordion venenosum |
Similar in genus Toxicoscordion
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
