What is "melanthium"

Melanthium is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants native to North America. They are closely related to Veratrum, and in fact are included in that genus by some authors. The distinction between Melanthium and Veratrum is based on various morphological traits, but it is not yet clear where the line is best drawn.

They contain alkaloids similar to those found in Veratrum and are thus assumed to be poisonous.