Fremont's Death Camas (Toxicoscordion fremontii) is in the Herb-Paris, False Hellebores, Trilliums and allies family (Melanthiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,113 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from February to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Fremont's Death Camas: observations by month (U.S.)
About Fremont's Death Camas
Toxicoscordion fremontii, known as the common star lily or Frémont's deathcamas (after John C. Frémont) or star zigadene, is an attractive wildflower found on grassy or woody slopes, or rocky outcrops, in many lower-lying regions of California, southwestern Oregon, and northern Baja California.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Fremont's Death Camas by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,113 | March | Feb–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Herb-Paris, False Hellebores, Trilliums and allies)
Large White Trillium
Pacific trillium
Red Trillium
Painted Trillium
Prairie Trillium
Toadshade
Giant Wakerobin
Little Sweet Betsy
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Fremont's Death Camas?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to April.
Where is Fremont's Death Camas most often seen?
The most observations come from California.