#zigadenus

Toxicoscordion fremontii is a geophytic (grows from a subterranean storage vessel) plant from the lily order which grows in open spaces in chaparral habitats. With a common name of Fremont’s Death Camas, the lethality of this plant is made quite clear.  This toxicity stems from the steroidal alkaloid zygacine, which causes several symptoms potentially including death. When poisoning through consumption of these plants occurs, there is no antidote to the alkaloid and so the symptoms are treated with the hope that the body will sort the problem out with time. While many geophytic plants native to California were used by indigenous people as food, Toxicoscordion fremontii is fairly unique in that it was almost exclusively used for poisoning or poutices. Despite the rather horrifying characteristics of its poisoning, it is a stunning and beautiful plant, blooming in spring particularly following a year the area experienced wildfire. The green ring on the tepals indicates the flower’s nectary and the glossy exudate can be seen in both the visible and fluorescent images.