Toxicoscordion exaltatum
Giant death camas
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Melanthiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Toxicoscordion exaltatum (Giant death camas) is a native California herb in the Melanthiaceae family, recognized by size and Sierra foothill location.
Giant death camas is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills in meadows and wooded slopes at elevations of 600 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white flowers in an open panicle 20 to 40 centimeters long with perianth parts 5 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with tall, glabrous stems 30 to 100 centimeters high emerging from a large ovoid bulb 20 to 60 millimeters in diameter with a dark brown outer coat. Its leaves are long and narrow, extending 20 to 60 centimeters in length and 5 to 30 millimeters wide, with scabrous-ciliate margins. The fruit is an oblong capsule 10 to 25 millimeters long, produced on spreading pedicels in fruit.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 2 species; size and Sierra foothill location are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, wooded slopes
Elevation: 600-1500 m
California counties: Kern, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Butte, Madera, Tulare
Bloom period
Toxicoscordion exaltatum blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Zigadenus: Zigadenus is an outdated synonym for Toxicoscordion - they are the same plant.; vs Chlorogalum: Toxicoscordion flowers have distinct glands at petal bases and open during the day, while soaproot flowers lack glands and open in evening.; vs Anticlea: Anticlea is another outdated synonym for Toxicoscordion - they are the same plant.; vs Nothoscordum: Toxicoscordion flowers have visible glands at petal bases and no onion smell, while false garlic lacks glands but smells mildly onion-like.; vs Allium: Crush a leaf - Allium smells strongly of onion, Toxicoscordion has no onion scent and shows glands at flower petal bases.
Frequently asked questions
Is Toxicoscordion exaltatum native to California?
Yes. Toxicoscordion exaltatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Toxicoscordion exaltatum bloom?
Toxicoscordion exaltatum blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Toxicoscordion exaltatum grow?
Toxicoscordion exaltatum occurs in Kern, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Butte, Madera, Tulare, at elevations of 600-1500 m.
What plant family does Toxicoscordion exaltatum belong to?
Toxicoscordion exaltatum is in the Melanthiaceae family, genus Toxicoscordion.
What habitat does Toxicoscordion exaltatum grow in?
Toxicoscordion exaltatum grows in Meadows, wooded slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.