Camassia quamash

common camas

Habit: grows from a solitary, starchy 1-2 in (2-5cm) bulb, producing numerous, basal, grass-like leaves. The 5-20 pale blue to deep blue star shaped flowers bloom up a tall scape (leafless stem) from bottom to top, and have bright yellow stamen and 6 tepals. The withering tepals twist together around developing papery capsules. Blooms May to July.

Ecology: common camas is found in meadows, open forests and streambanks, up to 7000 ft (2100m) in Western North America.

Growing Conditions: full sun in acidic, moist to wet well-drained soil in the winter and spring, and dry soil during summer dormancy.

Seen in the wild as large fields of blue in the spring.

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Type: Herbaceous Perennial (bulb)
Height: 1-2.5 ft (30-70 cm)
Width: 6-12 in (15-30 cm)
USDA Zones: 3b-9b
Map courtesy of USDA-NRCS Plants Database.