Camassia scilloides
Camassia scilloides
Safety & Hazards
Camassia bulbs have long been an important food staple for native North Americans, especially in the Pacific Northwest of N. America, where the bulbs were dug and traded on large encampment meadows. However, the plants are superficially similar to the poisonous species of Zigadenus (known as ‘death camas’) and so great care should be taken in making a positive identification[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. , K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].
Botanical Description
Camassia scilloides is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a solitary bulb (sometimes forming clusters) 10 - 30mm in diameter; it produces a cluster of 3 - 8 grass-like leaves 20 - 60cm long and flowering stems 19 - 47cm tall[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The plant was much harvested by the native N. Americans for its edible bulb. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.