Home > Herbs > Veratrum Californicum Var Californicum

California corn lily

Veratrum californicum var. californicum · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (14 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

California corn lily, scientifically known as Veratrum californicum var. californicum, is a striking perennial native to Western North America. Characterized by its elegant, bell-shaped flowers, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical importance. Historically utilized by Indigenous communities, its alkaloids possess potent medicinal properties, though careful handling is essential due to toxicity.

Family
Melanthiaceae
Native range
Northern America
Parts used
Leaf · Rhizome
Common names
California Corn Lily · California False Hellebore · 2 more
Scientific synonyms
Veratrum Jonesii · Veratrum Album Var. Californicum · 4 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Veratrum californicum var. californicum

Synonyms

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Liliales, it is classified under the family Melanthiaceae and the genus Veratrum. Specifically, the variety californicum identifies this particular specimen of Veratrum californicum.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Liliales
Family Melanthiaceae
Genus Veratrum

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the northwestern regions of the United States. Within this broad area, its range extends into the state of Colorado. It can also be found growing throughout the landscapes of Idaho and Oregon. Furthermore, the species is present across the terrain of Washington. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the mountainous regions of Wyoming.

Region Area
Northwestern U.S.A. Colorado
Northwestern U.S.A. Idaho
Northwestern U.S.A. Oregon
Northwestern U.S.A. Washington
Northwestern U.S.A. Wyoming
Southwestern U.S.A. Arizona
Southwestern U.S.A. California
Southwestern U.S.A. Nevada
South-Central U.S.A. New Mexico
Mexico Mexico Northeast

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Veratrum californicum var. californicum has 4 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome, root, stem.

Plant parts reported in Veratrum californicum var. californicum
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Leaf 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Rhizome 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Root 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Stem 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Leaf

  1. Plant physiology

Rhizome

  1. Plant physiology

Root

  1. Plant physiology

Stem

  1. Plant physiology

Chemicals

Veratrum californicum var. californicum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-acetyl-aspartic acid.

Chemicals reported in Veratrum californicum var. californicum
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
indole-3-acetic acid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
indole-3-acetyl-aspartic acid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

indole-3-acetic acid

  1. Plant physiology

indole-3-acetyl-aspartic acid

  1. Plant physiology

Preparations

Veratrum californicum var. californicum has 3 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Young leaves and buds, immature and fruiting inflorescences, leaves.

Preparations reported for Veratrum californicum var. californicum
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Young leaves and buds 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Immature and fruiting inflorescences 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Leaves 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Young leaves and buds

  1. Plant physiology

Immature and fruiting inflorescences

  1. Plant physiology

Leaves

  1. Plant physiology