Bloomipedia
Ookow (Dichelostemma congestum)
Photo: Jeffrey Lee (he/him/his) via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Ookow

Dichelostemma congestum

Native to Oregon

Ookow is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Oregon it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

5states
2,062OR sightings*
5,860U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Oregon

Quick look

Dichelostemma congestum is a species of flowering plant known by the common name ookow or fork-toothed ookow. It is native to California, Oregon and Washington.

  • It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 5 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Oregon. NatureServe
  • In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,062 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #83 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist

Ookow gift ideas

Handmade ookow gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

  • Placeholder

    Ookow art print

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Ookow greeting card

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Ookow mug

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Ookow earrings

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Ookow embroidery pattern

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Ookow sticker

    Gift pick coming soon

When does it bloom?

In Oregon, most flowering sightings come in May–June.

Flowering records by month in Oregon (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (899 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no edibility or poison notes on its page), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension

For petsNon-toxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Dichelostemma” (Dichelostemma species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating lots of any plant can still upset a pet's stomach. ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records ookow in 5 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Georgia, Missouri, Oregon, Washington.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Wasco, Washington, Yamhill.

More Oregon flowers

Solomon's plume (false Solomon's seal) (Maianthemum racemosum)

Solomon's plume (false Solomon's seal)

Maianthemum racemosum

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: April–June
Star-flowered lily-of-the-valley (Maianthemum stellatum)

Star-flowered lily-of-the-valley

Maianthemum stellatum

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: April–July
Western Lily of the Valley (Maianthemum dilatatum)

Western Lily of the Valley

Maianthemum dilatatum

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: April–June

Sources