{{Short description|Genus of plants}} {{Speciesbox | image = ZigadenusGlaberrimus.jpg | display_parents = 2 | genus = Zigadenus | parent_authority = Michx. | species = glaberrimus | authority = Michx. | synonyms_ref = &nbsp;<ref name=s/> | synonyms = *''Zygadenus'' common spelling variant *''Gomphostylis'' <small>Raf.</small> [1837] ''non'' <small>Wall. ex Lindl.</small> [1830] illegitimate homonym (Orchidaceae) *''Zygadenus glaberrimus'' common spelling variant *''Helonias glaberrima'' <small>(Michx.) Sims</small> }}

'''''Zigadenus''''' is a genus of flowering plants now containing only one species, '''''Zigadenus glaberrimus''''', the '''sandbog death camas''', found in the southeastern United States from Mississippi to Virginia.<ref name=s>{{Cite web|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:322177-2|title=Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families}}</ref><ref name="FNA_species">{{cite book |author=Fayla C. Schwartz |year=2003 |chapter=''Zigadenus glaberrimus'' Michaux, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 214, plate 22. 1803 |series=Flora of North America |volume=26 |title=Magnoliophyta: Liliidae: Liliales and Orchidales |editor=FNA Editorial Committee |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-515208-1 |page=83 |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=220014485}}</ref><ref>[http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Zigadenus%20glaberrimus.png Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution map]</ref> Around 20 species were formerly included in the genus, but have now been moved to other genera.

== Description == ''Zigadenus glaberrimus'' generally grows to a height of {{convert|60|-|120|cm|ft|abbr=on|0}}. A total of 30–70 flowers are borne in panicles. Each white to cream colored flower is bell-shaped, {{convert|20|-|30|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} across. The tepals of the flower remain attached to the fruit capsule when it forms. The cone shaped seed capsules are {{convert|10|-|15|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} long by {{convert|4|-|7|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} across.<ref name="FNA_genus">{{cite book |author=Fayla C. Schwartz |year=2003 |chapter=''Zigadenus'' Michaux, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 213, plate 22. 1803 |series=Flora of North America |volume=26 |title=Magnoliophyta: Liliidae: Liliales and Orchidales |editor=FNA Editorial Committee |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-515208-1 |pages=81–88 |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=135314}}</ref>

''Zigadenus glaberrimus'' flowers from mid July to September. It is found growing in pine bogs, savannas and sandy pinelands in the US states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.<ref name="FNA_genus"/>

==Systematics== The genus is a member of the family Melanthiaceae, tribe Melanthieae. Molecular phylogenetic studies in the 21st century have resulted in number of changes to placements within this tribe.<ref name=ZomlJudd02>{{cite journal| last = Zomlefer| first = W.&nbsp;B.|author2=W.&nbsp;S. Judd | title = Resurrection of segregates of the polyphyletic genus ''Zigadenus'' s.l. (Liliales: Melanthiaceae) and resulting new combinations| journal = Novon| volume = 12| issue = 2| pages = 299–308 |year = 2002 |jstor = 3392971 |doi = 10.2307/3392971| bibcode = 2002Novon..12..299Z| url = https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/36508}}</ref> (See also Phylogeny of Melanthieae.)

===Species formerly placed in ''Zigadenus''=== Around twenty species were included in the genus as it was previously circumscribed. ''Zigadenus glaberrimus'', sandbog deathcamas, is the only species remaining in the genus. Species which have been transferred to other genera are listed below.<ref name=ZomlJudd02/>

*''Amianthium muscitotoxum'' – flypoison *''Anticlea elegans'' – elegant camas, alkali grass, mountain deathcamas *''Anticlea hintoniorum'' *''Anticlea mogollonensis'' – Mogollon deathcamas *''Anticlea neglecta'' *''Anticlea sibirica'' *''Anticlea vaginata'' – sheathed deathcamas *''Anticlea virescens'' – green deathcamas *''Anticlea volcanica'' – lava deathcamas *''Stenanthium densum'' – Osceola's plume, black snakeroot, crow poison *''Stenanthium gramineum'' – featherbells *''Stenanthium leimanthoides'' – pinebarren deathcamas *''Toxicoscordion brevibracteatum'' – desert deathcamas *''Toxicoscordion exaltatum'' – giant deathcamas *''Toxicoscordion fontanum'' – smallflower deathcamas *''Toxicoscordion fremontii'' – Fremont's deathcamas, star zigadene – (several varieties) *''Toxicoscordion nuttallii'' – Nuttall's deathcamas *''Toxicoscordion paniculatum'' – foothill deathcamas, sand-corn *''Toxicoscordion venenosum'' – deathcamas, meadow deathcamas – (several varieties) *''Toxicoscordion micranthum'' – smallflower deathcamas

== Toxicity == Like all the species previously included in this genus, all parts of ''Z.&nbsp;glaberrimus'' are toxic, due to the presence of alkaloids such as zygacine. Grazing animals, such as sheep and cattle, may be affected and this or related species have caused human fatalities.<ref name="FNA_species"/>

== References == {{Reflist|32em}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2707469}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Melanthiaceae Category:Monotypic Liliales genera Category:Flora of the Southeastern United States