Nothoscordum bivalve aka Crowpoison

Taxonomy

Nothoscordum bivalve, also known as crowpoison and false garlic, is a species of flowering plant in the Amaryllidaceae family. It is native to the southern United States from Arizona to Virginia, as well as Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, northeastern Argentina, and central Chile. This common plant grows in parks, on roadsides, and in soils that are not too dry or too wet, and it thrives in lawns. It is a perennial herb that grows from a bulb about a centimeter wide, producing one erect stem, or occasionally two, growing up to 40 centimeters (16 in) tall. The plant has one to four narrow leaves up to 30 centimeters (12 in) long, and an inflorescence of an umbel of 3 to 6 flowers, or sometimes up to 10. The flower has six whitish tepals, each of which usually has a dark reddish midvein. Nothoscordum bivalve is a favorite nectar source for small butterflies such as the falcate orangetip. As a houseplant, crowpoison is super rare, easy to grow, and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and well-draining soil.

Common names

Crowpoison, False Garlic, Crow Poison

How to care for Crowpoison

Difficulty

Crowpoison presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Crowpoison should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Crowpoison loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Crowpoison thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Crow Poison.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Crowpoison to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Growth-pattern

Crowpoison grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.


More info:
Wikipedia