Toxicoscordion micranthum
Small flowered star lily
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Family: Melanthiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Toxicoscordion micranthum (Small flowered star lily) is a native California herb in the Melanthiaceae family, recognized by small flowers and NW California location.
Small flowered star lily is a California native perennial found in northwestern California on dry slopes and flats at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white flowers with distinctive perianth parts 3 to 8 millimeters long, arranged in a generally spreading panicle. Growing 15 to 50 centimeters tall with scabrous stems, it emerges from a dark brown to black bulb 10 to 25 millimeters in diameter. Its leaves are less than the stem height and 4 to 10 millimeters wide, with green to white-membranous bracts 5 to 40 millimeters long. The flower's inner perianth parts are clawed, with a distinctive glandular dentate margin.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 4 species; small flowers and NW California location are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, flats
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Mendocino, Humboldt, Glenn, Tehama, Del Norte, Colusa, Lake, Trinity, Napa
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Toxicoscordion micranthum blooms Apr-Jul.
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vs Zigadenus: Zigadenus is an outdated synonym for Toxicoscordion - they are the same plant.; vs Chlorogalum: Toxicoscordion flowers have distinct glands at petal bases and open during the day, while soaproot flowers lack glands and open in evening.; vs Anticlea: Anticlea is another outdated synonym for Toxicoscordion - they are the same plant.; vs Nothoscordum: Toxicoscordion flowers have visible glands at petal bases and no onion smell, while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 micranthum native to California?
Yes. Toxicoscordion micranthum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Toxicoscordion micranthum bloom?
Toxicoscordion micranthum blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Toxicoscordion micranthum grow?
Toxicoscordion micranthum occurs in Mendocino, Humboldt, Glenn, Tehama, Del Norte, Colusa, Lake, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Toxicoscordion micranthum belong to?
Toxicoscordion micranthum is in the Melanthiaceae family, genus Toxicoscordion.
What habitat does Toxicoscordion micranthum grow in?
Toxicoscordion micranthum grows in dry slopes, flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Toxicoscordion paniculatum — Foothill deathcamas
- Toxicoscordion sp. — Death camas
- Toxicoscordion venenosum var. venenosum — Meadow deathcamas
- Toxicoscordion brevibracteatum — Desert death camas
- Toxicoscordion exaltatum — Giant death camas
- Toxicoscordion fontanum — Marsh zigadenus
- Trillium albidum — Giant white wakerobin
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.