Veratrum on the Wiki
Jane McGary (Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:23:27 PDT)

Tom wrote,

I would definitely say so. I have a lot of Veratrum californicum at
my old garden and have dug offsets from time to time for people, or
to bring here. I don't know if the very large storage organ is
technically a rhizome, or caudex, or what, but it is very bulblike
and is the best way of propagating Veratrum quickly during its
dormant period in late summer. I grew these plants from direct-down
seed gathered just down the road -- it's very common in ditches and
other places that are moist in spring. It may never be a popular
garden plant, however much people who don't know it admrie it in
spring, because it disappears here by the end of July and one loses
the "architectural" foliage.

By the way, whatever you call the underground part, it gets very
large and is a beast to dig!

Regarding the medicinal qualities of Veratrum, Alaska Natives used
it, I believe only topically, while well aware of its toxicity. It
was said that one had to leave a small gift in the hole after digging
the root in order to propitiate the plant's spirit.

Jane McGary
Portland, Oregon, USA