Death camas
Zigadenus spp.
- Plant type
- forb (bulb)
- Settings
- Rangeland
- Risk
- High risk Our rating from the cited sources.
- Review
- Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
Photos
Planned.
How to tell it
Grasslike leaves in groups of three from a deeply buried bulb; cluster of yellowish-white flowers on top of the stalk; 4 to 16 in tall (ARS).
Look-alikes: Planned.
What to do on a site walk
- Avoid unit in early spring or wait until it dies back.
- Never turn in hungry goats.
Why it matters
- Toxic principle
- Steroidal alkaloids (zygacine)
- Toxic parts
- All parts, including the bulb
- Basis for our rating
- Chewgrass rating. ARS: animals that eat enough often die; no treatment. Cornell: all parts toxic.
Signs in goats
Often found dead. Frothing, vomiting, weakness, staggering, fast weak pulse, labored breathing, convulsions (ARS).
If you think an animal has been poisoned, call your vet right away.
Season
One of the first plants up in early spring; most losses in spring; dies back by early summer (ARS).
Sources
Links last checked: 2026-10-31