Human Poisoning by Zigadenus

Abstract

Zigadenus (death camas) is a dangerous plant in the United States. The literature contains several well-documented nonfatal human cases of zigadenus poisoning. Fatal cases were recorded in interviews of 19th century western American Indians. This paper contains an account from early in the 20th century of some railroad workers who died shortly after eating the bulbs. The probable fatal dose, extrapolated from animal data, ranges from less than one-tenth pound (four-five bulbs) for a young child to a pound for an adult. Other parts of the plant such as nectar and seeds are also highly toxic.