Green death camas

Helonias virescens Kunth in A. von Humboldt et al., Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 267. 1816; Anticlea mexicana Kunth; A. virescens (Kunth) Rydberg; Zigadenus mexicanus (Kunth) Hemsley; Z. porrifolius Greene; Z. virescens var. porrifolius (Greene) O. S. Walsh ex Espejo & López-Ferrari

Plants 3.5–8.5 dm, from bulbs; bulbs not clumped, tunicate, narrowly ovoid, 3–5 × 1–1.5 cm. Leaves: proximal blades 25–45 cm × 3–20 mm. Inflorescences racemose to paniculate, 15–30-flowered, with 1–4 branches. Flowers nodding; perianth perigynous, campanulate, 4–8 mm diam.; tepals greenish, sometimes tinged with purple, ovate, 4–6 × 1.5–3 mm, somewhat narrowed at base, apex narrowly obtuse; gland 1, obcordate, thick; pedicel recurved at anthesis, 1.5–2 cm, bracts often tinged with purple or pink, ovate, 5–20 mm. Capsules narrowly conic, 10–20 mm. 2n = 32.

Flowering Jul--Aug. Montane coniferous forests; 1000--3200 m; Ariz., Colo., N.Mex.; s Mexico.