Eastern Camass, Camass lily, Wild hyacinth, Atlantic Camas
Camassia scilloides

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A slender herb. It grows 50 cm tall. It has a brown, smooth bulb. This can be 1-2.5 cm across. The leaves are narrow. They are 20-50 cm long by 5-15 mm wide. They are at the base. The flower stalks are in narrow clusters. The flowers are pale blue. The fruit is small and has 3 parts. It is a round capsule. They are edible.

There are 6 Camassia species. Also put in the family Hyacinthaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist meadows.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The onion like bulbs can be boiled or baked. They are also eaten raw. The bulbs can be dried and stored.

Edible parts

Root, bulbs

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds or by transplanting bulbs.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Possibly Camassia leichtlinii; Camassia fraseri; Camassia esculenta Rob.;