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small camas

Scientific Name: Camassia quamash ssp. linearis

Family: Liliaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Camassia quamash: An Overview

Camassia quamash, commonly known as camas, small camas, common camas, common camash, or quamash, is a perennial herb found in western North America. It is known to form vast displays of color across meadows when in bloom.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant can be confused with Death Camas (Zigadenus venenosus), which is toxic.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant can be confused with Death Camas (Zigadenus venenosus), which is toxic.
  • The bulbs are edible but should only be consumed if properly identified to avoid confusion with toxic look-alikes.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene
  • Family: Hyacinthaceae (also listed as Liliaceae and Asparagaceae)
  • Synonyms: C. esculenta. Lindl.
  • Subspecies: Camassia quamash subsp. quamash, Camassia quamash ssp. breviflora
  • Common Names: Camas, Small Camas, Common Camas, Quamash, Indian Camas, Utah Small Camas, Walpole's Small Camas, Blue Camas, Swamp Sego

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to North America, specifically western Canada and the western United States, from British Columbia to northern California, Alberta, and Wyoming.
  • Grows in moist meadows and on grassy slopes.

Historical and Traditional Uses

  • The bulbs of Camassia quamash were an important food source for indigenous peoples of western North America.
  • Cultivation, processing, and trade of the camas bulb exemplify how indigenous peoples used native plants for sustenance and trade.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Perennial herb
  • Camassia quamash ssp. breviflora is described as a stout, robust plant, 12-28 inches (30-70 cm) tall.
  • Flowers are noted to be pale blue and are borne on racemes on tall stems.

Quirky Facts

  • In small camas, five petals tend to be held upwards, giving a fan-like appearance, while the sixth petal curves downwards.