Large-flowered Zigadenus Zigadenus glaberrimus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- zig-uh-DEN-us gla-ber-REE-mus
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Camas is the only species in this genus. and is native to the southeastern United States including North Carolina. It is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). Twenty species formerly in the genus are now found in four different genera. Distinguishing characteristics are the rhizome, which is thick and twisted and two conspicuous glands per tepal. The species epithet means "becoming glabrous or hairless."
In its native environment, it can be found growing in sandhill seepage bogs, pine savannas, pocosin edges, along small streams and in sandy pine lands. Typically, it grows in areas of low elevations, under 350 feet.
This plant grows 2-4 feet tall and prefers full sun in moist to wet acidic soil. Bog-type growing conditions are best for this plant.
Growing from thick, twisted rhizomes, it flowers in mid-summer to early fall with white to creamy blooms in panicles of 30 to 70 blooms. Basal leaves are linear and grass-like and turn reddish in fall and winter.
This plant can be difficult to find commercially, however, its presence in the wild where it can spread into large stands, is quite attractive. It can be grown in bog gardens and attracts pollinators. It is quite poisonous to humans, cats, dogs and livestock.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant 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:
- Zigadenus
- Species:
- glaberrimus
- Family:
- Melanthiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL , FL , GA , MS , NC , SC , TX , VA
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat tolerant.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit in the form of a cone-shaped capsule displays from August to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 6 to 12 flowers clustered on short stems or attached directly to a main stem. 6 creamy white to pale-yellow tepals with two lime green dots. Stamens are long and showy. Blooms June-September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Veined, linear, grass-like basal leaves form in the spring. Stem leaves are reduced.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Multi-branched glabrous stems with a reddish hue.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Short-lived
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Symptoms include vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, muscular weakness, tremors, incoordination, ataxia and prostration. If untreated can lead to death.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
