Crowpoison
Nothoscordum bivalve
Also listed as Allium bivalve, Ornithogalum bivalve
Also known as Crow's Poison, False Garlic, Grace Garlic
Climate Match for your location
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A small bulbous perennial with delicate white or pale pink star-shaped flowers and a garlic-like smell. It spreads readily in sunny, dry locations and is often considered weedy in gardens.
Why grow it
Crowpoison offers reliable spring interest in hot, dry sites where many ornamentals struggle, and it requires minimal maintenance once established. Unlike cultivated alliums, this species tolerates poor soil and irregular water, making it useful for naturalized plantings or xeriscaping where conventional bulbs would fail. Its delicate flowers attract pollinators across a longer season than some related species.
Watch out for
The plant self-seeds prolifically in favorable conditions, so deadheading spent flowers helps manage spread in cultivated beds. In regions with mild winters, seedlings may establish in unintended locations year after year, requiring periodic removal if containment is a priority.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
South and Central America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A small bulbous perennial with delicate white or pale pink star-shaped flowers and a garlic-like smell. It spreads readily in sunny, dry locations and is often considered weedy in gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Crowpoison grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Crowpoison offers reliable spring interest in hot, dry sites where many ornamentals struggle, and it requires minimal maintenance once established. Unlike cultivated alliums, this species tolerates poor soil and irregular water, making it useful for naturalized plantings or xeriscaping where conventional bulbs would fail. Its delicate flowers attract pollinators across a longer season than some related species.
Watch out for
The plant self-seeds prolifically in favorable conditions, so deadheading spent flowers helps manage spread in cultivated beds. In regions with mild winters, seedlings may establish in unintended locations year after year, requiring periodic removal if containment is a priority.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
South and Central America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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