Camassia is a genus that historically used to belong to the lily family (Liliaceae), the Scilloideae family, or the Hyacinthinaceae family. Lately, using DNA studies and biochemical techniques, the APG II-group has reassigned Camassia to the century plant family (Agavaceae).
Camassia scilloides - Atlantic Camas, Bear grass (Eastern United States in North America) The habitat extends along the Atlantic states from Maryland to Georgia and eastward to Texas. The upper midwest states of Michigan and Wisconsin are also included in the range.
Description
Camas grow in the wild in great numbers in moist meadows from Southern British Columbia to Northern California and east to Utah, Wyoming and Montana.
The plant has linear basal leaves which emerge early in the spring. It grows to 18-30 inches, 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. They sometimes color whole meadows blue-violet.
Cultivation
The bulb grows best in well drained soil high in humus. It will grow in lightly shaded forest areas 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 as well. Additionally the plant spreads by seed rather than by runners.
NOTE: Do not attempt to eat the bulb, as many members of the lily family are not edible.
The Quamash was a food source for several native peoples in the western United States. The bulbs were harvested and pit-roasted or boiled by women of the Nez Perce, Cree, and Blackfoot tribes. They even kept alive the members of the expedition of Lewis and Clark (1804-1806).
Brisland, Richard T. W. Camas processing or upland hunting : an interpretation of lithic scatters at High Prairie. Calgary, Alb.: University of Calgary, 1992. Thesis (M.A.)
Comber, Harold F.; Miller, Murray. Check list of the plants of the Camassia Natural Area : vascular plants. [Oregon]: Oregon Chapter, The Nature Conservancy, 1967
Coville, Frederick V. The technical name of the camas plant. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington; v. 11 (1897), p. 61-65.
Gould, Frank W. A systematic treatment of the genus Camassia Lindl. Notre Dame, Ind.: University Press, 1942.
Konlande, J. E.; Robson, John R. The nutritive value of cooked camas as consumed by Flathead Indians. Ecology of food and nutrition, v.2, (1972), p.193-195.
Maclay, Anne M. Studies of the life history of Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene. Pullman, Wash. : State College of Washington (Washington State University), 1928. Thesis (M.S.)
Rice, Peter M.; Toney, J. Chris.; Cross, Marcia Pablo. Rehabilitation of camas and bitterroot gathering sites: study plan. [Hamilton, Mont: Bitterroot National Forest: U.S. Forest Service], 1996.
Smith, Harriet L. Camas: the plant that caused wars. Lake Oswego, Or.: Smith, Smith and Smith Pub. Co., 1978.
Statham, Dawn Stram. Camas and the Northern Shoshoni: a biogeographic and socioeconomic analysis. Boise, Idaho: Boise State University, 1982.
Thoms, Alston V. The northern roots of hunter-gatherer intensification: camas and the Pacific Northwest. Pullman, Wash.: Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, 1989.
Toney, J. Chris. Traditional plant restoration: restoration of camas & bitterroot gathering sites (phase I-year 1 progress report). [Hamilton, Mont: Bitterroot National Forest: U.S. Forest Service], 1997
