Species › Plants › Corn Lily

Corn Lily

Veratrum californicum

CommonPlant
Illustration of Corn Lily (Veratrum californicum)
Safety note: All parts are highly toxic; one of the most poisonous plants in western North America.

Corn Lily is a tall, robust wildflower of wet mountain meadows that superficially resembles corn with its large, ribbed leaves. Despite its lush appearance, it is highly toxic to livestock and humans, containing potent alkaloids. Elk avoid it, but deer and many insects can visit the clusters of white flowers. Early shoots can be mistaken for edible plants.

Habitat
Wet mountain meadows and stream banks in western North America
Diet
Flowers visited by native bees and flies despite the plant's toxicity
How common
Common

Best time to see a Corn Lily

The best time to see a Corn Lily is June–July, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 12,762 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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