Fly Poison Amianthium muscitoxicum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chrosperma muscitoxicum
- Zigadenus muscitoxicus
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-ee-AN-thee-um mus-kai-TOKS-ee-kum
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The common name of "fly poison" comes from what the plant can be used as: to kill flies (by grounding a mixture of some of the plant parts--mainly the bulb-- and adding sugar). However, this plant-- including the bulb-- is poisonous to not just flies but also humans and animals (usually livestock). The bulb of Amianthium muscitoxicum is very poisonous. This plant contains toxic alkaloids in all parts of the plant. The second part of the name (muscitoxicum) called the species means "flies" and "poison" (Latin meaning from muscae and toxicum). You can propagate this plant through root division or seeds (however, propagating through root division is easier).
Another common name 'Stagger Grass' is used due to the effect eating the plant has on cattle. After consuming, the cattle may stagger. It can also lead to the cattle's demise.
The plant looks similar to Xerophyllum asphodeloides, Xerophyllum tenax, hyacinths, and butterfly bush's flowers.
It can be found growing as a native plant in moist woods, especially oak forests, bogs, low pinelands, savannas, meadows, and sandhills. It does best when receiving a few hours of sun per day.
There are no specific insects, disease or other plant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Amianthium
- Species:
- muscitoxicum
- Family:
- Melanthiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Central & E. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Some butterflies eat the nectar of the plant.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Textural
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- occassional flooding, deer resistant, partially drought tolerant
- Edibility:
- Not edible
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The plant has three-beaked, dark brown capsule containing red seeds. The fruit is bright orange.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The season is in the early summer. Flowers can feel sticky. The clusters of flowers as a whole can be anywhere from 2- 6 inches. The blossoms are white until they are pollinated when they turn pale green. They will bloom from April to June. The plant has a dense, cylindrical cluster of .5-in., creamy white flowers on top of a mostly leafless stem. The flowers persist and turn green to greenish-purple with age. There is a leafless flower stalk.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The plant has 15 to 20 inches long, grasslike, veined, basal leaves with center rib and blunt tips.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stem is erect and unbranched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- CAN BE FATAL IF INGESTED! All parts of the plant, including the bulb, are poisonous. This tends to be a problem for livestock, although this plant is also poisonous to humans and other animals. Depending on how much is eaten and other factors, symptoms for livestock could include producing more saliva than normal, vomiting, being clumsy when trying to move, weakness, not being able to move well, struggling to breathe, having hemorrhages, or dying (generally because too much struggle breathing). Symptoms may last 2 days.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- toxic alkaloids (similar to neurotoxins)
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
