Description

Fremont’s star lily is found in sunny locations in many plant communities throughout much of coastal and interior-coastal California. With the onset of winter rains it emerges from dormancy with a whirl of grass-like leaves reminiscent of those of a soap root, Chlorogalum pomeridianum. After the bulb has matured for several years, these leaves will be followed by a two to three foot inflorescense covered with many white flowers with yellow centers. Fremont’s star lily is a great addition to a sunny garden as long as it is allowed to go dormant in the late spring and is kept dry (no supplemental water). As its other common name, “death camas”, implies, all parts of this plant are toxic.