Zigadenus venenosus

Plants 2–7 dm, from bulbs; bulbs not clumped, tunicate, ovoid, 10–30 × 8–20 mm. Leaves: proximal blades 12–50 cm × 2–10 mm. Inflorescences racemose or paniculate with 1 or 2 basal branches, 10–50-flowered, terminal raceme pyramidal in anthesis, 2–20 × 2–5 cm, branches (if any) 1/10–1/3 length of entire inflorescence, diverging from main axis at 10°–60° when in fruit. Flowers: perianth hypogynous, campanulate, 5–10 mm diam.; tepals persistent in fruit, cream colored, 2–5 × 1–3 mm, outer often clawed, apex usually acute; gland 1, obovate, distal margins evident to obscure, irregular; filaments straight, usually equaling tepals, occasionally longer, thickened proximally; pedicel usually ascending in fruit, occasionally perpendicular to stem, 3–25 mm, bracts usually green, sometimes white, 5–25 mm. Capsules 8–20 × 4–7 mm. 2n = 22.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

w North America.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Zigadenus venenosus is a smaller, more slender plant than either Z. paniculatus or Z. fontanus. It can be distinguished from Z. micranthus by its ascending pedicels. It has a much broader distribution than either Z. micranthus or Z. fontanus, and does not occur on serpentine substrates.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Zigadenus venenosus var. gramineus, Zigadenus venenosus var. venenosus

Key

1	Outer tepals usually clawed ca. 5 mm; inflorescences mostly racemose, occasionally paniculate with 1 basal branch.	Zigadenus venenosus var. venenosus
1	Outer tepals not clawed, or clawed less than 5 mm; inflorescences mostly paniculate with 1–2 basal branches, occasionally racemose.	Zigadenus venenosus var. gramineus