Camas (Camassia quamash) Lily Family (Liliaceae)

This plant is a perennial that grows from a small egg-shaped, deepset bulb.

Flower

The tepals are blue-violet and form a flower that is 3/4 - 1 1/2”. I will occasionally see a white one at the arboretum.

Tepal: One of the divisions of a flower perianth, especially one that is not clearly differentiated into petals and sepals, as in lilies and tulips.

Seeds

The seed pods start off a thick, fleshy green and turn brown as they mature. At this point, the pods will split open to release the seeds. The seeds are a rich black and slightly wrinkled or dimpled.

Leaves

The leaves are narrow and grasslike. They have basal growth which means that they grow from the base of the stem. They can be up to 3/4’ wide and nearly 20” long.

Quick Reference:

Height: 6 - 20”
Leaves: The leaves are basal, narrow and grasslike.
Flowers: The tepals are blue-violet and form a flower that is 3/4 - 1 1/2”.
Habitat: Grassy slopes and meadows in low to middle elevations.

Journal Location:
Mt. Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene, OR
Mt. Pisgah Arboretum Website
Mt. Pisgah Arboretum Plant List

Life Around Camas

I see a variety of insects like bumblebees, butterflies and beetles interacting with this plant. Deer love to eat the new leaves as camas starts emerging from its winter sleep. I have also seen patches of camas become riddled with mounds of dirt from the tunnelings of pocket gophers.

References

Mathews, Daniel. Cascade-Olympic Natural History. Raven Editions in conjunction with Portland Audubon Society, 1988.
Pojar, Jim, and Andy MacKinnon. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska (Revised). B.C. Ministry of Forests and Lone Pine Publishing, 1994.