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Brundage, Stephanie
Amianthium muscitoxicum
Amianthium muscitoxicum (Walter) A. Gray
Fly Poison, Crow Poison
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s): Chrosperma muscitoxicum, Zigadenus muscitoxicus
USDA Symbol: AMMU
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The numerous narrow, elongated leaves and the 12-24 in. flower stalk superficially resemble common hyacinth. Flowers, occuring in a dense, showy raceme are first white, then bronzy-green. Leaves tend to spread outward and arch downward.
Pulp from a crushed bulb, mixed with sugar, is used to poison flies, hence the species name, from the Latin muscae ("flies") and toxicum ("poison"). Bunchflower (Veratrum virginicum) has a somewhat similar white flower; its three petals and three sepals have narrow, stalk-like bases with two dark glands on each; there are several spikes in a cluster.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Usually 1 to 2 feet high, occasionally up to 5 feet.
Flower: Flowers in 2 to 6 inch clusters.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , GreenBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: A sticky substance coats the blooms, causing them to glisten.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OK , PA , SC , TN , VA , WVNative Distribution: PA to WV & MO, s. to FL, MS & OK
Native Habitat: Mesic woods; seep areas; low pinelands; savannas; meadows; sandhills
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium , HighLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, acid soil, rich or poor.
Conditions Comments: Does best with at least 1 or 2 hours of direct sun. Tolerates seasonal flooding.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Good for low, white color in partial shade in the eastern US.Use Other: Crushed bulbs mixed with sugar can be used as a fly poison.
Warning: This plant contains a very toxic alkaloid, and the entire plant is poisonous, especially the bulb, to humans and livestock if ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsDescription: Fly poison can be propagated by division and with difficulty from seed. Plant seed as soon as ripe or in the spring.
Seed Collection: Store seed at room temperature.
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Amianthium muscitoxicum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Amianthium muscitoxicum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Amianthium muscitoxicum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-10Research By: TWC Staff