The Herbarium at the University of Georgia Poisonous Plants of Georgia
The Herbarium of the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
Common Name:
Scientific Name:
Fly-poison Amianthium muscaetoxicum (Walt) Gray
Family:
 Melianthiaceae
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Click on the photos to enlarge images and read a scientific description.
This plant may be poisonous to both humans and animals. Please refer to the "Symptoms" section below for information regarding susceptiblity of animal species to poisoning.
Description:
 Crow poison is a perennial herb that grows from a bulb. The leaves are thin and long arising from the base of the plant. The flowers form an elongated cluster at the end of a leafless stem. The fruit is a spherical capsule that contains many shiny brown to black seeds. The bulbs of this plant were once mixed with honey for use as fly poison thus lending the plant one of its common names.
Toxic Part: The entire plant is considered toxic, especially the bulbs. The bulbs of stagger grass were once mixed with honey for use as fly poison thus lending the plant one of its common names.
Toxin: The toxins responsible for poisoning are the Veratrum-like alkaloids, amianthine and jervine.
Symptoms: The symptoms of poisoning are said to be similar to those associated with Zigadenus intoxication. These symptoms include staggers, muscular cramps, and respiratory paralysis in cattle and sheep. Because A. muscaetoxicum has Veratrum-like alkaloids it could cause fetal malformations in sheep and cattle.
Treatment: There is no known treatment. Do not let animals access the plant for forage.
References: 24, 71, 75, 124
This site is NOT a substitute for the advice of medical physician. Plant poisonings can, in certain cases, result in SERIOUS HARM AND EVEN DEATH. Please contact a physician or your local poison control center if you suspect any plant poisoning. A link to the Georgia Poison Control Center can be found on the "References and Links" page of this site.