How to Grow and Care for Death camas

One cultivar of white camas (Anticlea elegans) by the name of white death camas is exceedingly toxic to human beings and is said to be much more potent than strychnine. Meriwether Lewis of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition collected a specimen in 1806.

Green death camas is a perennial herb distinguished by its slender, upright stems and elongated leaves. These taper to a point, with parallel veins running the length of each leaf, and are often bluish-green in color, which contributes to its common name. Adapted to its woodland habitat, green death camas thrives in dappled sunlight and well-drained soils. Its inconspicuous blooms may be overlooked but play a critical role in the local ecosystem.

Bronze bells is a hardy perennial known for its elegant white flowers that bloom in the spring. With narrow, lance-shaped leaves, it thrives in the Western United States' forest understories. This species adapts well to the dappled sunlight of its woodland habitat, often found along stream banks where moisture is abundant. Its distinct blooms and preference for cool, moist conditions make it a charming, yet less-common garden addition.