Melanthieae
The Deathcamases or Star Lilies are the genus Zigadenus of flowering plants. Placed by older authors in the family Liliaceae, they are regarded by modern taxonomy (for example the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group) as members of the family Melanthiaceae.
Deathcamases are perennial plants growing from a bulb or rhizome. In most cases they have long narrow leaves that grow from the base of the plant. The flowers are bisexual; they have six petals and are radially symmetrical, and in the best known species are white or yellowish-white. Members of the genus are found in North America and Asia,
All members of the genus are at least unpalatable to livestock because of alkaloids present especially in the bulbs. As the name Deathcamas suggests, some are seriously toxic to both animals and humans.
There are about 15 species in the genus. ITIS lists the following:
- Desert Deathcamas, Zigadenus brevibracteatus
- Osceola's Plume, Zigadenus densus
- Mountain Deathcamas, Zigadenus elegans
- Giant Deathcamas, Zigadenus exaltatus
- Common Star Lily, Fremont's Deathcamas or Star Zigadene, Zigadenus fremontii (several varieties are recognised)
- Sandbog Deathcamas, Zigadenus glaberrimus
- Pinebarren Deathcamas, Zigadenus leimanthoides
- Smallflower Deathcamas, Zigadenus micranthus
- Mogoll Deathcamas, Zigadenus mogollonensis
- Nuttall's Deathcamas, Zigadenus nuttallii
- Foothill Deathcamas or Sand-corn, Zigadenus paniculatus
- Sheathed Deathcamas, Zigadenus vaginatus
- Death Camas or Meadow Deathcamas, Zigadenus venenosus (several varieties)
- Green Deathcamas, Zigadenus virescens
- Lava Deathcamas, Zigadenus volcanicus