Death Camas: the 61st Flower of Spring & Summer!

Last year I discovered these flowers growing in our meadow and I was so enchanted by their beauty that I spent time to figure out what they were. Imagine my surprise when I found out their name, "Death Camas"!! How can something so pretty be so dangerous?! I've known for many years that it's always a good idea to look and not touch plants and flowers, but who knew so many flowers are really poisonous?! In fact, I have discovered many species that grow on our property are quite poisonous, and makes me happy I don't have a curious child who likes to chomp on pretty blossoms!! YIKES!!

Death Camas is so poisonous that even its scientific name spells it out: "Toxicoscordion venenosum"! All parts of this flower are extremely poisonous, and in fact, it is said that alkaloid present, called zygadenine, is even more poisonous than strychnine!!! Small amounts will make anything eating it vomit, drool, become weak and cause a decrease in blood pressure, your pupils will dialate, and you'll spend hours in the bathroom. Larger amounts can result in seizures, coma, and death.

It is suspected that the Lewis and Clark expedition were mistakenly offered bulbs from this plant, instead of the edible blue camas, and soon after eating these bulbs, the whole party became violently ill for weeks!

A lesson for all of us: look but do not touch the plants and flowers we photograph!!

If you would like to know more about this deadly beauty, Wiki has a page here: Wiki: Death Camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum)
I found an excellent article here as well: Britannica Blog: Death Camas Toxic Tuesdays.