This tetraploid (2n = 32) occurs widely in eastern North America, except on the southeastern Coastal Plain. There is also a remarkable disjunct population in Idaho, Oregon and Washington (FNA 3). Although cattle are now generally absent in the deeper woods with this species, there are old reports of toxicity to cattle, apparently caused by the alkaloid "cucullarine" (Black et al. 1923 ); however, the structure of this compound remains undefined. D. cucullaria used to be called "little staggerweed" in the mountains of Virginia. Bulbs are toxic as well as leaves.