Amianthium

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Amianthium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Liliales Family: Liliaceae / Melanthiaceae Genus: Amianthium A.Gray Species: A. muscaetoxicum
Binomial name
Amianthium muscaetoxicum A. Gray
Synonyms
Amianthium angustifolium A.Gray Amianthium aspericaule A.Gray Amianthium leimanthoides A.Gray Amianthium macrotox Raf. Amianthium nuttallii A.Gray Amianthium texanum Gates [1]

Amianthium is a monotypic genus of perennial plants growing from bulbs. It contains the single species Amianthium muscitoxicum, known in English as fly poison from a literal translation of the Latin muscitoxicum, is noted for its pretty flowers and its toxic alkaloid content. While all parts of the plant are poisonous, the bulb is particularly toxic. The scientific name was given to it by Thomas Walter when he published his Flora Caroliniana in 1788.

[edit] References and further reading

• Appalachian Wildflowers by Thomas E. Hemmerly. University of Georgia Press, ISBN 0-8203-2181-8, states that the bulb was mixed with sugar by colonists to kill flies.
• NC State University

1. ^ Amianthium. IPNI.