Amianthium muscaetoxicum

Fly Poison

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]


Family: Melanthiaceae (Bunchflower family)

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: May - June
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe: July - September

Fly Poison ontains toxic alkaloids and is highly poisonous when ingested by livestock, humans and other animals. Its common name comes from its use in colonial times as a way to control flies.

Fly Poison is the only species within its genus Amianthium. It is mainly pollinated by beetles.




30 May 2012
Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park (Central District), VA
15 June 2012
Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park (Central District), VA
28 May 2021
Shenandoah National Park (Central District), VA
(developing flower stalk)
28 May 2021
(developing flower stalk)
Shenandoah National Park (Central District), VA
30 May 2012
Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park (Central District), VA
21 June 2014
Shenandoah National Park (Central District), VA
1 August 2015
Shenandoah National Park (Central District), VA
(ripening seed heads)
1 August 2015
Shenandoah National Park (Central District), VA
(ripening seed heads)
1 August 2015
Shenandoah National Park (Central District), VA
(ripening seeds)
     




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