#crowpoison

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[stopandlook]

Scientific Name: Nothoscordum bivalve Common Name(s): Crowpoison, false garlic Family: Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis); prev. Liliaceae (lily) Life Cycle: Perennial Leaf Retention: Deciduous Habit: Forb USDA L48 Native Status: Native Location: Plano, Texas Season(s): Late winter

Two views of the same plant. Each flower is about half an inch across.

The taxonomic tango between Amaryllidaceae and Liliaceae is hard to unravel, and Wikipedia describes it with “[the Amaryllidaceae] … has seen much reorganization and at various times was combined with the related Liliaceae” and “the taxonomy of Liliaceae has had a complex history.” Specifically with regard to this plant, the genus Nothoscordum falls under Allioideae, which was at one time its own family called Alliaceae (onion), but is now classified as a subfamily of Amaryllidaceae.

The common name is also a bit of a mystery — apparently it’s based on a Cherokee legend, but there is a lack of confirmed evidence to indicate that this plant is truly poisonous to crows. We’re warned not to eat it, but its toxicity to humans doesn’t seem well-documented either (note: there are other plants that share this common name, and those are known to be toxic). In any case, if in doubt, don’t eat it.

[that-crazy-scorpio-man]

False garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve)

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Crowpoison, found at the park near my home.

[that-crazy-scorpio-man]