Asparagaceae FAMILY

Camassia quamash

Edibility

4/5

Medicinal

2/5

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 quamash is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a solitary bulb (occasionally forming clusters) 10 - 50mm in diameter; it produces a cluster of up to 10 grass-like leaves 10 - 60cm long and flowering stems 20 - 80cm 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 bulb was a staple food of the native N. Americans who harvested it in quantity for immediate use, dried it for storing and also used it as an item of trade. The plant is often grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeWestern N. America - British Colombia to Alberta, south to California, Nevada and Utah

HabitatCoastal mountain forests, wet meadows, fields and rocky coastal bluffs; at elevations up to 2,500 metres[ 60 Title Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Publication Author Hitchcock. C. L. Publisher University of Washington Press Year 1955 ISBN - Description A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader. , 62 Title A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Publication Author Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. Publisher Van Nostrand Reinhold Year 1982 ISBN 0442222009 Description Very readable. , 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. ]. Subsp azurea is found in alluvial plains, meadows, light, well-drained prairie soils;at elevations up to 200 metres[ 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. ].