The yellow-green leaves of this wetland plant are conspicuous in spring. In most areas the plant withers away before summer. However, we were high enough on the mountain, that the plant was still conspicuous.

The alkaloids in this plant make it extremely toxic to humans, livestock, and even insects. Ingestion has caused birth defects in animals, and losses in honeybee populations.

Because the leaves resemble those of corn stalks and edible "skunk cabbage," corn lily has been eaten mistakenly with fatal result.

Native Americans used the juice to poison darts for warfare