Stenanthium texanum - Black/Texas Death-Camas

 

Black death-camas (Stenanthium texanum) is a much rarer species in Florida (and elsewhere) than its more widely distributed relative crow poison (S. densum).  It has only been reported in four counties in the western Panhandle and is sporadically distributed elsewhere in the Southeastern Coastal Plain from east Texas to southern Georgia.  This is a plant that occurs in open pine savannas and flatwoods, but as it has only recently been discovered and described it is still relatively poorly understood.

Black death-camas appears to be a short-lived perennial. Its long and linear basal leaves persist and are up to one-half an inch wide (up to twice as wide as the more common crow poison) and the extended flower stalk arises from this annually.  The stalk can be as tall as 6 feet at maturity and it is branched, unlike crow poison. Like others in this genus, many bright white flowers occur on the top of the stem.  Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer. Thes blooms attract a wide variety of pollinators.

Black death-camas is a very striking wildflower, but it is not one likely to be grown commercially at this time or in the future.  It is yet another plant that should be admired if encountered and not collected for a personal landscape or without a permit.

The above photos were taken by my friend, Floyd Griffith, and used by permission.