About Veratrum californicum Durand
Veratrum californicum, commonly called California corn lily, white false hellebore, or California false hellebore, is an extremely poisonous plant native to western North America. Its range extends from Washington in the north to Durango in the south, and it grows across the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains. Depending on latitude, it can grow from near sea level up to 11,000 feet in elevation. This plant reaches 1 to 2 meters tall, producing an erect, unbranched stem covered in abundant leaves that resembles a cornstalk. It favors quite moist soil, and can grow in dense, large stands that cover extensive areas near streams or in wet meadows. Numerous one-inch wide flowers grow in clusters along the often-branched top of the plant's stout stem. Each flower has 6 white tepals, a green center, 6 stamens, and a 3-branched pistil. Unopened buds are tight green spheres. The bright green, heavily veined leaves can grow to more than a foot in length. Veratrum californicum exhibits mast seeding: populations produce few blooms and seeds in most years, but occasionally bloom and produce large amounts of seed synchronously across the population. The species typically blooms in midsummer, from July to August. There are two recognized varieties: Veratrum californicum var. californicum, which occurs across the full range from Washington to Durango, and Veratrum californicum var. caudatum (A.Heller) C.L.Hitchc., which is found in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and northern California.
