Camasare perennial plants with basal linear leaves. They grow to a height of 30 to 127 cm with a multi-flowered stem rising above the main plant in summer. The six-petaled flowers vary in color from pale lilac or white to deep purple or blue-violet. The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognizes six species as of spring 2015. Camas is native to western North America.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Camassia is a genus of plants in the asparagus family native to North America. Common names include camas, quamash, Indian hyacinth, camash, and wild hyacinth.
It grows in the wild in great numbers in moist meadows. They are perennial plants with basal linear leaves measuring 20 to 80 centimetres (8 to 32 in) in length, which emerge early in the spring. They grow to a height of 30 to 130 cm (12 to 50 in), with a multi-flowered stem rising above the main plant in summer. The six-petaled flowers vary in color from pale lilac or white to deep purple or blue-violet. Camas can appear to color entire meadows when in flower.
Historically, the genus was placed in the lily family (Liliaceae), when this was very broadly defined to include most lilioid monocots. When the Liliaceae was split, in some treatments Camassia was placed in a family called Hyacinthaceae (now the subfamily Scilloideae). DNA and biochemical studies have led the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group to reassign Camassia to the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Ideally, Camassia should be planted in full sun to partial shade to promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms. While they can tolerate some shade, insufficient sunlight may result in reduced flowering and overall weaker plants.They require at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day to flourish and produce vibrant blooms.
Temperature and Humidity
While they can tolerate a range of temperature conditions, they prefer cool to mild climates and will not do well in extreme heat. Ideally, camassias should be planted in areas with temperatures ranging from 60°F to 70°F during the growing season for optimal growth.
In terms of humidity requirements, camassias are not overly picky but do appreciate some level of moisture in the air. They generally prefer moderate to high humidity levels, especially during their active growing period.
Watering
These beautiful perennial flowers prefer consistently moist soil during their growing season, which is typically in the spring and early summer. However, it’s crucial to avoid waterlogged conditions as this can lead to root rot and other issues. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not saturated.Consider planting camassia bulbs in areas where they can benefit from natural rainfall or near sources of water such as ponds or streams for easy irrigation access.
Soil
Camassia plants thrive best in well-draining soil, preferably with a slightly acidic pH level. They are not particularly fussy when it comes to soil type, as long as it is well-drained and not waterlogged.
Fertilizing
These hardy perennials do not require much in terms of nutrients and actually prefer a lean soil environment.While a layer of compost can provide some organic matter for the plant, excessive fertilization can actually hinder their growth.
Pests and Diseases
Common pets and diseases
Camassia plants are generally hardy and not prone to many pets and diseases. But occasionally, they can be affected by snails and slugs. To protect your garden from snails and slugs, consider using barriers like copper tape or diatomaceous earth to deter them from feasting on your prized plants.
Common problems
Wilting leaves and stems are common issues that Camassia plants may experience, often indicating a problem with water supply. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which in turn causes the leaves and stem to wilt. On the other hand, underwatering can also result in wilting as the plant is not receiving enough moisture to sustain its foliage.Ensure the plant is receiving adequate water and the soil is well-draining to avoid root rot.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
This bulb flower naturalizes well in gardens. The bulb grows best in well-drained soil high in humus. It will grow in lightly shaded forest areas and on rocky outcrops as well as in open meadows or prairies. Additionally it is found growing alongside streams and rivers. The plants may be divided in autumn after the leaves have withered. Bulbs should be planted in the autumn. Additionally the plant spreads by seed rather than by runners.
- Culinary uses
Camassia species were an important food staple for Indigenous peoples and settlers in parts of the American Old West. While Camassia species are edible and nutritious, the white-flowered deathcamas species (which are not in the genus Camassia but in a number of genera in the tribe Melanthieae) that grow in the same areas are toxic, and the bulbs are quite similar in appearance. It is easiest to tell the plants apart when they are in flower.
The quamash was a food source for many indigenous peoples in western North America. Blue camas was harvested when in bloom, in spring or early summer. After being harvested the bulbs were pit-roasted or boiled. A pit-cooked camas bulb can take up to two days to fully cook. The look and taste is something like baked sweet potato, but sweeter, and with more crystalline fibers due to the presence of inulin in the bulbs. The eating of too many such baked bulbs – especially if undercooked – can cause excessive flatulence, due to their containing inulin and other oligosaccharides. After cooking, the bulbs could be pounded into a paste and made into cakes.
Native American peoples who ate camas include the Nez Perce (Nimíipuu), Cree, Kalapuya, Blackfoot, Yakama, and Coast Salish, including the Lekwungen or Songhees who collected camas in what is now Victoria, British Columbia, the Lekwungen name for which was Camosun, or “place to gather camas”. The Kutenai called the camas “xapi” (Ktunaxa). Camas bulbs contributed to the survival of members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
In the Great Basin, expanded settlement by whites accompanied by turning cattle and hogs onto camas prairies greatly diminished food available to native tribes and increased tension between Native Americans and settlers and travelers. Though the once-immense spreads of camas lands have diminished because of modern developments and agriculture, numerous camas prairies and marshes may still be seen today.
- Role in indigenous trade and culture
Camas was an important component of the diets of most indigenous groups located in the Pacific Northwest. However, not all indigenous groups harvested camas themselves. Instead, many relied on trade in order to procure it. Indigenous groups that lived in environments that suited camas production, such as the Coast Salish, developed networks of exchange in order to procure a variety of goods and foods, such as cedar bark baskets and dried halibut.
In North American Indigenous cultures, trade had economic as well as diplomatic functions, with ceremonies such as the potlatch serving as a means to legitimize an individual’s rule and establish their status as a provider. Camas was frequently traded in large volumes for such occasions.