Camas
Camassia has blue flowers; dig only when in flower and with expert guidance.
Use the botanical sourceToxic · do not eat
Meadow death camas.
Toxicoscordion venenosum
Also found as Meadow death camas
A western grassland bulb with grass-like leaves and cream flower clusters that is deadly and grows among edible camas and wild onions.
Sources checked 27 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Toxic. Keep out of food and tea.
Poison help All parts contain steroidal alkaloids. Bulbs have been confused with edible camas and wild onions, with fatal results.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 6,996
- People who recorded it
- 2,676
- Most records (northern hemisphere)
- May–Jun
- Records span
- 1981–2026
| January | 4 |
|---|---|
| February | 3 |
| March | 79 |
| April | 929 |
| May | 3821 |
| June | 1883 |
| July | 216 |
| August | 32 |
| September | 15 |
| October | 9 |
| November | 3 |
| December | 2 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Onion-like bulb with V-shaped, grass-like leaves.
- 02
Dense cluster of small cream to yellowish six-petaled flowers.
- 03
No onion smell.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Wild onions
Allium smell of onion; death camas does not.
Use the botanical sourceSelected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
Western North America, from British Columbia to northern Mexico.
Watch the plant stage
Hazard exists at every growth stage.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Observe. Leave intact.
Do not eat, brew, taste or collect for the pantry.
Care for the patch
Leave plants in place; livestock losses are also common.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- Wikipedia · Toxicoscordion venenosumBotanical description, range and documented use
- iNaturalist · Toxicoscordion venenosumTaxonomy and verified observation records
Checked 27 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction