In the past, we’ve posted about Toxicoscordion death camas genus, particularly how the genus Zigadenus was split up and the species within it were divided into other genera. When we visited Alaska, we found yet another death camas formerly in Zigadenus that’s been moved, this one to Anticlea. This is Anticlea elegans, commonly called mountain death camas, alkali grass, elegant death camas, and camas wand lily. It’s named for the Anticlea of Greek mythology, queen of Ithaca and mother of Odysseus.
Like Toxicoscordion, Anticlea death camases have a large, yellowish green gland at the base of their tepals.
These plants were really dangerous for early European colonists (as well as their livestock), who would mistake them for edible camas and Allium species, and subsequently wind up poisoned. Anticlea poisoning is pretty unpleasant, and causes vomiting and serious respiratory issues.
