Amianthium

Amianthium is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Melanthiaceae. The genus contains only one species, Amianthium muscaetoxicum, commonly known as fly-poison or crow-poison. This perennial herb is native to the eastern United States, found in woodlands and open fields from Florida to New York.

The plant is characterized by its basal rosette of linear leaves and a tall, slender flowering stalk that typically reaches 2 to 4 feet in height. The stalk bears a dense, terminal raceme of small, fragrant, greenish-white to yellowish flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous seeds.

Amianthium muscaetoxicum is known for its toxicity. All parts of the plant contain steroidal glycosides, particularly amianthiumin, which are poisonous to humans and livestock if ingested. Historically, the plant was used as an insecticide, hence its common name "fly-poison," by crushing the bulbs and placing them in milk or water to attract and kill flies. Due to its toxicity, it is not recommended for medicinal or culinary use. The plant is generally considered a nuisance in pastures due to its poisonous nature.