Plants usually have a single, unbranched stem that varies from eight to 30 inches in height. The leaves are basal, grasslike and V-creased. The yellow-brown flowers are arranged in a cluster at the end of the stem. The weed can be mistaken for wild onion, which has tubular leaves and an onion smell. Death camas is odorless and tasteless.
Sheep are most likely to be affected by feeding on death camas.
Occasionally, cattle and horses are affected. Death camas contains toxic alkaloids that occur throughout the plant. Livestock are poisoned by leaves, stems and flowers. Plants are dangerous at all times. Signs of poisoning include salivation, nausea and vomiting, muscular weakness and staggering, fast but weak pulse, possible convulsionsand coma.