Toxicoscordion paniculatum
Foothill deathcamas
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Family: Melanthiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Toxicoscordion paniculatum (Foothill deathcamas) is a native California herb in the Melanthiaceae family, recognized by higher elevation range.
Foothill deathcamas is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, northern Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, and Great Basin regions in dry sagebrush scrub to conifer forest at elevations of 1,200 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white flowers in a distinctive panicle inflorescence 10 to 30 centimeters long with spreading branches. Growing with slender stems 20 to 70 centimeters tall, it emerges from a dark brown to black ovoid bulb 30 to 50 millimeters in size. Its leaves are long and narrow, reaching 20 to 50 centimeters in length with rough, ciliate margins measuring 6 to 16 millimeters wide. The plant produces cylindrical fruits 8 to 20 millimeters long, characteristic of this delicate but potentially toxic lily relative.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 4 species; higher elevation range is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry sagebrush scrub to conifer forest
Elevation: 1200-2300 m
California counties: Lassen, Butte, Plumas, Colusa, Nevada, Shasta, Yuba, Modoc, Siskiyou, Mono, Mariposa, Tehama, Sierra, Alpine, Mendocino, Los Angeles
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Toxicoscordion paniculatum blooms May-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vs Zigadenus: Zigadenus is an outdated synonym for Toxicoscordion - they are the same plant.; vs Chlorogalum: Toxicoscordion flowers have distinct glands at petal bases and open during the day, while soaproot flowers lack glands and open in evening.; vs Anticlea: Anticlea is another outdated synonym for Toxicoscordion - they are the same plant.; vs Nothoscordum: Toxicoscordion flowers have visible glands at petal bases and no onion smell, while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 paniculatum native to California?
Yes. Toxicoscordion paniculatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Toxicoscordion paniculatum bloom?
Toxicoscordion paniculatum blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Toxicoscordion paniculatum grow?
Toxicoscordion paniculatum occurs in Lassen, Butte, Plumas, Colusa, Nevada, Shasta, Yuba, Modoc and other counties, at elevations of 1200-2300 m.
What plant family does Toxicoscordion paniculatum belong to?
Toxicoscordion paniculatum is in the Melanthiaceae family, genus Toxicoscordion.
What habitat does Toxicoscordion paniculatum grow in?
Toxicoscordion paniculatum grows in dry sagebrush scrub to conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Toxicoscordion sp. — Death camas
- Toxicoscordion venenosum var. venenosum — Meadow deathcamas
- Toxicoscordion brevibracteatum — Desert death camas
- Toxicoscordion exaltatum — Giant death camas
- Toxicoscordion fontanum — Marsh zigadenus
- Toxicoscordion fremontii — Fremont's death camas
- Trillium albidum — Giant white wakerobin
- Trillium angustipetalum — Narrow petaled 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.