Camassia quamash

Camassia quamash is a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family, commonly known as common camas, small camas or quamash. Native to western North America, it is found in areas ranging from southern British Columbia to northern California, and from the Pacific coast to Montana and Utah.

Description

Camassia quamash is a perennial herb that grows from a bulb. It produces a single, unbranched stem up to 80 cm tall. The leaves are basal and linear, up to 60 cm long. The inflorescence is a raceme with up to 80 flowers. The flowers are radially symmetric, with six tepals that are blue to purple in color. The fruit is a capsule containing several black seeds.

Habitat and Distribution

Camassia quamash is found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, prairies, and open forests. It is most common in moist areas, such as along streams and in wet meadows. The species is distributed across western North America, from southern British Columbia to northern California, and from the Pacific coast to Montana and Utah.

Uses

The bulbs of Camassia quamash were traditionally used as a food source by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. They were typically harvested in the late summer or early fall, after the plants had flowered and the leaves had died back. The bulbs were then cooked, often by roasting in a pit for several days. Today, the bulbs are still harvested and used in some traditional foods.

Conservation

While Camassia quamash is not currently listed as threatened or endangered, its habitat is being lost due to urban development and agriculture. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting remaining populations and restoring habitat.

See Also

• Camassia
• Asparagaceae
• Flora of North America

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  Camassia quamash in bloom

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  Close-up of Camassia quamash flowers

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  Field of Camassia quamash