Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Toxicoscordion fremontii, known as the common star lily or Frémont's deathcamas (after John C. Frémont) or star zigadene, is an attractive wildflower found on grassy or woody slopes, or rocky outcrops, in many lower-lying regions of California, southwestern Oregon, and northern Baja California. Like other deathcamases, T. fremontii grows from a more or less spherical bulb, which in this species has a diameter of 20-35 mm. Its leaves can reach up to half a meter in length, but are typically half that length. They grow from the base of the plant. Flowers, which can be seen from March to June, grow in clusters. They have six petals (strictly, three petals and three very similar sepals), arranged symmetrically, giving rise to the name star-lily. Each flower is 1-4 cm across.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

White, Cream

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Deer resistant

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment; sow in fall. 2-3 mos. stratification may improve germination.

Sunset Zones

2, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Meadows, wooded slopes

Plant communities

Alkali Sink, Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Valley Grassland