WALLACE W HANSEN

Native Plants of the Northwest
Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

2158 Bower Ct S.E., Salem, Oregon 97317-9216

E-Mail: Wallace W Hansen
PHONE  503-581-2638, FAX 503-549-8739

Click here for Home Page: www.nwplants.com

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Updated April 14, 2010

Camassia quamash (Common Camas, Indian Hyacinth)

Common Camas has several leaves, similar to those of the daffodil.

The beautiful blue violet flowers are shaped like stars and grow along the 12-18" stem.

Common Camas is found along the Pacific coast and east into Idaho. It is hardy between USDA zones 6-10.

Native Western Americans relied on Camas for their sustenance and traveled great distances to attain it. The steamed bulbs are very sweet and were sometimes combined with Soapberry (Sheperdia canadensis) to sweeten that fruit. Do take extreme care in tasting Camas as its deadly look-alike, Death Camas (Zigadenus Venenosus), often grows alongside it.

Bareroot bulbs available Sept - Dec. Ask.

  

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