Species library · Plants & herbs

Death Camas: deadly poisonous

Toxicoscordion venenosum

☠ Deadly poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Death Camas is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere.

☠ Deadly poisonous
Death Camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum)

Photo: (c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Anderson · iNaturalist

When Death Camas appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Look up Death Camas in the app

In the Forage app, Death Camas has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Death Camas: common questions

Is Death Camas poisonous?

Yes. Death Camas is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Death Camas appear?

Death Camas usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits