The colors below indicate the kind of documentation available for this species
in the California counties where it occurs.
Death Camas Zigadenus fremontii (Liliaceae)
The bulbs of the Death Camas are poisonous to livestock and humans. In fact, consumption of this plant caused serious illness among some people of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Many other members of the Liliaceae are culinary delights, as onion and garlic lovers will attest. The use of plants for food by humans is a prehistoric tradition. Many of the 7000 edible plants that are used today were trial and error discoveries by ancient people.
DISTRIBUTION: Grassy or wooded slopes and outcrops from NW Calif. to the Sacramento Valley south to CW and SW Calif.; < 1000 m.
