Fly Poison
Amainthium muscaetoxicum


Picture Taken May 26

This member of the lily family bears a terminal cluster of white flowers from May to July. Each flower has three petals and three sepals which persist after germination and turn green. The leaves are mostly basal and have distinct V-shaped ribs. The roots and leaves of this plant contain a toxic alkaloid which can kill livestock. Supposedly, the crushed bulb of this plant mixed with sugar has been used to kill flies. It grows throughout North Carolina.

Lily Family

Liliaceae


Plant Name Index Pictorial Index March 22 April 1
April 7 April 19 May 5 May 12
May 26 June 7 July 3 July 18
August 8 September 1