Great camas Camassia leichtlinii (Baker) S. Watson
ABOUT
Camassia leichtlinii, commonly known as Great Camas, features tall wands of starry flowers that bloom in a sequence from bottom to top. These flowers come in shades of blue to violet, and sometimes white, each with six petals that form a star-like shape. The plant has long and narrow leaves that grow at the base, resembling those of a clump of grass. The slender, leafless flower stalk rises from the center of this foliage clump, and each stem can bear multiple buds that open successively over time. Its seed capsules are three-chambered and the seeds inside are black and shiny. The Great Camas thrives in meadows and open woodlands, and it's often found blooming in the late spring to early summer. It is a bulbous perennial, meaning it grows from an underground bulb which allows it to return year after year.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asparagaceae.
Synonyms
Great Camas, Large Camas, Quamash, Wild Hyacinth, Leichtlin's Camas, White Camas.
Common names
Camassia leichtlinii subsp. suksdorfii (Greenm.) Gould, Camassia suksdorfii (Greenm.) Piper, Quamasia leichtlinii (Baker) Britton, Quamasia suksdorfii Greenm.
ToxicityTo humans
The most common common name for Camassia leichtlinii is Large Camas. While the bulbs of Large Camas are edible and were historically a significant food source for some Native American tribes, it is important to differentiate them from the toxic look-alike called Death Camas (Zigadenus species). The two plants can look similar, but eating Death Camas can lead to poisoning. If Large Camas bulbs are not properly cooked, they can be indigestible and cause gastrointestinal discomfort due to their high inulin content. There is no significant toxicity reported in humans for Large Camas when it is correctly identified and properly prepared. However, it's advised to use caution and ensure proper identification before consuming wild plants to avoid confusing Large Camas with its toxic relative.
To pets
The most common common name for Camassia leichtlinii is Large Camas. It is not specifically listed as toxic to pets, such as cats and dogs. However, as with humans, it can be easily confused with the highly toxic Death Camas (Zigadenus species), which can result in serious symptoms if ingested by pets. Death Camas contains steroidal alkaloids that can lead to symptoms such as salivation, vomiting, weakness, incoordination, seizures, and in severe cases, can be fatal due to respiratory paralysis. Therefore, pet owners should exercise caution and prevent pets from ingesting unknown wild plants to avoid potential poisoning. If a pet is suspected to have ingested Death Camas or any unknown plant, it is crucial to seek immediate veterinary care.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ecosystem Support: Provides nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to a healthy and diverse ecosystem.
- Ornamental Value: Camassia leichtlinii, also known as the Great Camas, has striking blue or white flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Culinary History: Historically, the bulbs were an important food source for Indigenous peoples in the Pacific Northwest.
- Wildlife Habitat: The plants can serve as a food source and habitat for various wildlife species.
- Erosion Control: The root system helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion, particularly in moist meadows and slopes where it naturally thrives.
- Low Maintenance: Great Camas is relatively easy to care for once established, requiring minimal maintenance and water.
- Adaptability: It can thrive in a range of conditions from full sun to partial shade, and once established, it can tolerate drought conditions.
- Propagation: Easy to propagate from bulbs, allowing gardeners to naturally expand their plantings or share with others.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The bulbs of Camassia can be roasted or boiled and used as a food source, similar to a potato, known to be a traditional food for some Native American tribes.
- Camassia leichtlinii, also known as Great Camas, can be used as a natural sweetener when the bulb is slow-cooked as it converts its inulin into fructose.
- The bulb's mucilaginous nature allows it to be used as a thickener in soups and stews.
- Great Camas has been used in ecological restoration projects as it is a native species that supports local biodiversity.
- The plant is a valuable resource for pollinators, particularly bees, as it produces a substantial amount of nectar.
- Camassia leichtlinii's attractive flowers make it a favorite for ornamental planting in wildflower and natural-style garden designs.
- The seed pods can be used for unique floral arrangements and dried decorative displays.
- Due to its tall and striking flower spikes, Great Camas can serve as a focal point or background plant in layered garden beds.
- The plant's ability to thrive in damp meadows makes it useful for water management in garden landscapes, particularly in rain gardens.
- Camassia leichtlinii can be planted to help stabilize soil on slopes and banks due to its clumping growth habit.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Camas is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Camas is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Persistence: Camassia leichtlinii, commonly known as Great Camas, often grows in tough environments and can persist through difficult conditions, symbolizing resilience and the ability to endure hardships.
- Adaptability: Great Camas has the ability to adapt to various habitats, making it a symbol of flexibility and the capacity to thrive in different circumstances.
- Purity: The strikingly beautiful blue to violet flowers of the Great Camas are often associated with purity, clarity, and sincerity.
- Harmony with nature: As Great Camas has been an important food source for Indigenous peoples, it symbolizes a harmonious relationship with nature and the use of natural resources.
- Rebirth and Renewal: The perennial nature of Great Camas, which reemerges year after year, can symbolize rebirth, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life.
WaterThe Great Camas requires moderate watering, especially during the spring growing season when it prepares to bloom. It should be watered once every week with about one to two gallons of water, depending on the soil moisture level and the climate conditions. Once established, Great Camas is quite drought-tolerant, but it's essential to maintain consistent moisture during its growth phase. In the summer, after the plant has flowered and the leaves have died back, watering can be reduced significantly. During the dormant period in the fall and winter, it may only require water if the conditions are extremely dry.
LightGreat Camas prefers full sun to partial shade, thriving best in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. It can also tolerate light dappled shade, but too much shade may result in weak growth and fewer blooms. An ideal location would be one that gets morning sun and afternoon partial shade, which protects the plant from the intense heat of late day sun in hotter climates.
TemperatureGreat Camas is hardy in a range of temperatures and can withstand a minimum temperature down to around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing temperature for Great Camas is between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during its active growing season. This plant is quite adaptable and can survive temperature fluctuations, but it should be protected from extreme cold below the minimum threshold.
PruningPruning Great Camas is typically not necessary for the health of the plant but may be done to maintain tidiness. After flowering, spent flower stems can be cut back to ground level to keep the plant looking neat. General maintenance should be performed in the late fall or early winter, removing any dead or dying foliage. This also helps to prevent disease and pest problems.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLarge Camas thrives in a well-drained soil mix with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 8.0. A mix incorporating two parts loam, one part sand or perlite, and one part well-rotted compost is ideal for providing the necessary nutrients and drainage.
RepottingLarge Camas bulbs should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate bulb growth. They are best repotted after the foliage has died back post-flowering.
Humidity & MistingLarge Camas prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable and can tolerate the varying humidity conditions typically found outdoors in its growing zones.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with cool temperatures.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil; full sun to part shade.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleCamassia leichtlinii, commonly known as the Great Camas, is a perennial bulbous plant that starts its life cycle from a bulb, which remains dormant during the winter months. In early spring, leafy shoots emerge from the bulb, and by late spring, the plant produces tall flower spikes with star-shaped blue to violet flowers that are pollinated by bees and other insects. After flowering, the plant sets seed in capsule-like fruits which mature in summer and release seeds that disperse by wind or gravity. Some seeds may germinate immediately if conditions are favorable, but others can enter a period of dormancy until the following spring or even longer. Eventually, these seeds produce new bulbs, which may take several years to reach flowering maturity. Throughout its life cycle, the Great Camas undergoes vegetative growth, flowering, seed dispersal, and dormancy, as a means to survive and propagate in its native habitats, primarily meadows and grassy slopes of the Pacific Northwest.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Camassia leichtlinii, commonly known as the Great Camas, can be propagated most effectively through division of its bulbs. The best time to do this is in the fall, after the foliage has died back but before the ground freezes. Dig up the bulbs carefully and separate any offsets, which are smaller bulbs that form at the base of the main bulb. Each offset should have a portion of the basal plate to ensure it can produce roots. Replant the bulbs immediately in well-drained soil at a depth of about 3-4 inches (approximately 7.5-10 cm), spacing them about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) apart, to enable sufficient room for growth. Water the newly planted bulbs generously to help establish them. Over time, these offsets will grow into mature plants that will flower in subsequent seasons.
