4 BULLETIN 1245, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
There are many other plants which, under some conditions, may 
cause sickness or death, but it has been thought best to limit the de- 
scriptions to those which are widely distributed and especially im- 
portant. 
THE LILY FAMILY (LILIACE.-E). 
DEATH CAMAS (SPECIES OF ZYGADENUS). 
The larger part of the losses of sheep from poisonous plants during 
the spring and early summer months is due to the various species of 
Zygadenus, or death canias. 
Plate I, a picture of Zygadenus venenosus, gives a clear idea of 
the general appearance of these plants. All the species have green. 
grasslike leaves, which, at the early stages of growth, are not readily 
distinguished from the grasses among which they may be growing. 
When in blossom, however, the yellowish-green or yellowish-white 
heads of flowers are 
r a t h e r conspicuous. 
Some of these plants 
grow in fairly dense 
masses, covering several 
acres. All grow from 
a bulb which, in most 
cases, is rather deeply 
buried, and is not likely 
to be pulled up by graz- 
ing animals. 
A number of popular 
names have been ap- 
plied to these plants, 
but death canias and 
poison sego are those 
most commonly used. 
In the Pacific State- 
perhaps lobelia is used 
more than any other name. It would probably be well if there were 
a general adoption of the term death camas. 
The botanists recognize a number of species, but there are four 
with which the western stockman is most likelv to come in contact. 
Fig 
1. — A sheep very sick from eating foothill death 
camas {Zygadenus paniculaius). 
Grassy Death Camas (Zygadenus gbaminetjs). 
The grassy death camas, Zygadi nus gramineus, is especially com- 
mon in Montana. Wyoming, and the neighboring States, and is re- 
sponsible for heavy losses in the spring. It starts before the grasses 
and matures in May and June. The plant and fruit are shown in 
Plate II. 
Foothill Death Camas (Zygadenus paniculatus). 
Zygadenus paniculatus^ known as the foothill death canias, i> the 
common species in the intermountain region. Ii has a compound 
flower stem, so that the group of flowers is more extended than in 
t he other species. This species causes much sickness, but not so many 
deaths as does the grassy death camas. 
