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Veratrum californicum Durand Corn lily, California corn lily
California corn lily is native to mountain meadows in southwestern North America and the Rocky Mountains. Identification: This plant’s leaves resemble those of corn (or corn husks), leading to the unfortunate name “wild corn” as well as corn lily—unfortunate because this plant is poisonous to people and animals. Leaves are up to 15" (38 cm) long and 7" (17 cm) wide, strongly veined; plants reach six feet in height. Flowers have six petals, and are green, with white tips and yellow stamens.
Corn lily flowers. Photo by Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Kelly Kindscher & Danielle Walkup, in association with the Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences and the Dale A. Zimmerman Herbarium. Edibility: Poisonous Online References:
Veratrum californicum on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service Veratrum californicum on CalPhotos Veratrum californicum on Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness Veratrum californicum on Wikipedia Veratrum californicum on Wildflowers, Ferns & Trees of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah Veratrum californicum at Yosemite National Park Veratrum californicum at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Veratrum californicum from the Jepson Manual
Veratrum californicum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
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3/30/2010 · Near Ouray, Colorado · By Constance B. Kent Range:
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All parts of the plant are poisonous,
and roots are 5-10 times worse than other parts. Highly toxic alkaloids effect the heart and nervous
system. Poisoning causes birth defects in sheep. Poisoning symptoms include excessive salivation or
frothing; irregular gait; vomiting; fast, irregular heartbeat; show, shallow breathing; coma; convulsions.
