Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Deadly

Is Death Camas Poisonous to Alpacas?

Death Camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum) — a wild plant. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team
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Yes — death camas is highly poisonous. Small amounts can kill.

Keep alpacas completely away from this plant, including clippings and fallen leaves.

Death Camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum)
Death Camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum). Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Deadly
Scientific name
Toxicoscordion venenosum
Family
Melanthiaceae
Plant type
Wild plant
Also known as
Zigadenus, poison camas, meadow death camas
Toxic parts
Whole plant, especially bulbs
Toxic compound
Steroidal alkaloids (zygacine)
Region
Western North America

Why it matters

A grass-like spring plant of western rangeland, often among the first green growth after snowmelt.

Signs of death camas poisoning in alpacas

  • Excessive salivation and frothing
  • Weakness, staggering
  • Rapid weak pulse
  • Collapse and death

Signs can appear within minutes (cyanide, cardiac toxins) or only after weeks of exposure (liver toxins). Many poisoned camelids are simply found dead, so prevention is everything.

What to do if your alpaca ate death camas

  1. Move the herd away and remove any remaining plant material, clippings or fallen leaves.
  2. Call your veterinarian immediately, even if the alpaca looks normal. Say what was eaten, roughly how much and when.
  3. Bring a sample or clear photo of the plant to help identification.
  4. Do not give home remedies, oils or try to make the alpaca vomit unless your vet tells you to.
  5. Keep the animal quiet, in shade or shelter, with water available. Write down the time and every symptom you see.
  6. Check every other alpaca that had access, then remove the plant permanently (including roots).

Emergency: call your veterinarian immediately. If you cannot reach them, contact an animal poison control service (in the U.S., the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline; fees may apply). Bring a sample or photo of the plant.

Look-alikes

Death Camas can be confused with: Wild onion (no onion smell in death camas). When unsure, photograph the leaves, stem and flowers and ask your local extension office or a botanist.

About the plant

Toxicoscordion venenosum, with the common names death camas and meadow death camas, is a species of flowering plant in the family Melanthiaceae. It grows up to 70 centimetres tall. Both its common names and its scientific name reference its toxic qualities.From Wikipedia — “Toxicoscordion venenosum”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

Main range of concern: Western North America. GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 12,770 recorded observations of Toxicoscordion venenosum (S.Watson) Rydb. worldwide, including 6,772 in the United States. It belongs to the Melanthiaceae family, together with False Hellebore. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is death camas poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — death camas is highly poisonous. Small amounts can kill. A grass-like spring plant of western rangeland, often among the first green growth after snowmelt.
What part of death camas is toxic to alpacas?
Whole plant, especially bulbs.
What are the symptoms of death camas poisoning?
Excessive salivation and frothing, weakness, staggering, rapid weak pulse and collapse and death.
Is dried death camas safe?
Drying does not reliably make poisonous plants safe. Treat dried leaves and contaminated hay with the same caution.

Keeping pastures safe

  • Walk every paddock and fence line each season and remove toxic plants, including roots.
  • Never throw garden, hedge or lawn clippings over the fence.
  • Check pastures after storms for fallen branches (cherry, red maple).
  • Buy hay from known sources and inspect it for weeds.
  • Keep pastures well managed — hungry alpacas eat plants they would normally avoid.

Browse the full toxic plant checker, the printable list of poisonous plants and the list of safe plants.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.

Data: plant status compiled from veterinary toxicology references (see sources); taxonomy and occurrences from GBIF; identifiers from Wikidata Q3849177.