death camass

noun

any of several North American plants belonging to the genus Zigadenus, of the lily family, having narrow leaves and clusters of flowers.
the root of any of these plants, poisonous to sheep and other animals.

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

They were cooked elaborately in pits, care being taken to avoid the poisonous bulbs of the Death Camass, which resemble them.

Browse