BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Zigadenus paniculatus | Foothill Deathcamas 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Foothill deathcamas is a native, cool-season, perennial forb.  Its
peduncle is from 8 to 21 inches (20-60 cm) long; acaulescent leaves are
from 12 to 20 inches (30-50 cm) long [6,11,13].  The roots are fibrous,
growing from the base of a "deep-set" underground bulb [13,19].  The
inflorescense is a raceme of polygamous flowers.  The fruit is a capsule
[7,11,13].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Geophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Foothill deathcamas reproduces from seed, with pollination effected by
syrphid flies and solitary bees [16].  It reproduces vegetatively by
bulb offsets [9].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Foothill deathcamas grows in dry, loamy to gravelly soils.  It is found
at 4,000 to 7,500 feet (1,300-2,600 m) in elevation throughout its range
[11,13].

Species named as foothill deathcamas associates in the big sagebrush
(Artemisia tridentata) plant community include cheatgrass (Bromus
tectorum), Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), and low larkspur
(Delphinium bicolor) [13].  Associates in the true pinyon-Utah juniper
(Pinus edulis-Juniperus osteosperma) community include Utah serviceberry
(Amelanchier utahensis), banana yucca (Yucca baccata), rubber
rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), Fendler bluegrass (Poa
fendleriana), bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), and hairy
telegraphplant (Heterotheca villosa) [2].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Foothill deathcamas begins growth in early spring and flowers from May
to June [11,13].

Related categories for Species: Zigadenus paniculatus | Foothill Deathcamas