Camas
Camassia quamash
Family Asparagaceae
Rivers of blue stars in a spring meadow — camas is one of the most beautiful bulbs native to this continent, and one of the most storied, a staple food of Northwest First Nations for centuries. Grown in drifts it turns a damp spring lawn into something people stop for.
Bees work the spikes hard, and the bulbs multiply quietly into bigger drifts each year, thriving on spring moisture and sleeping through dry summers. The famous edible bulb is strictly expert territory — a lethal look-alike shares its range — so plant it for the blue and the bees.
Full Sun to Part Shade
Moderate water
Spring bulb growth
Native to North America
Attracts bees
From the print shop
Growing camas? Hang it.
Our Plant Library collection carries camas — Camassia quamash, print Nº 88, “Camas.”
526 designsfrom $12.99white or black backgroundmatte poster, unframed
Will it fruit where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what camas actually needs.
Hardy inZones 3-8Camas · Common problems
Common camas problems
Pests
1 problem on file
- Almost none
Diseases
1 problem on file
- Almost none
Camas · Growing & propagation
Growing camas
- Light
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate-High in spring
Dry summer dormancy
Soil- Rich, moist in spring (meadow native) · pH 6.0 - 7.0
Fertilizer- None
Pruning- Let foliage yellow
A stunning native bulb of wet spring meadows — spires of blue stars naturalizing into drifts. Its bulbs were a major Indigenous food of the Pacific Northwest (pit-roasted for days into a sweet, molasses-like food). CAUTION: only the blue-flowered camas is edible — it's easily confused with the DEADLY white-flowered 'death camas', so identify by flower before ever considering the bulb.
Spacing- 4-6 in
How to plant & propagate camas
- Propagate
- Offsets, division, or bulbils
Camas · Calculators & field guides
A little help in the garden.
Camas · Yearly calendar
The camas year, month by month
Jan
No calendar activity is listed for this month.
BloomBloomMay
What each band means
- Bloom — flowers open — pollinators working, frost on blossoms is the danger.
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
Camas · Ecology & uses
Ecology & uses
Camassia quamash
Camas in the garden system
- Root layer bulb
- Nectary/insectary
Attracts- Bees
Habitat- Prairie/meadow
- Moisture
- Facultative / average
Deer- Browsed
Protect young plants
- Origin
- Native to North America
What camas is grown for
✓ Commonly eatenBlue camas bulb edible when properly slow-cooked; the look-alike DEATH CAMAS (white flowers) is lethal — never eat a camas bulb you can't confirm in bloom
Use- Blue meadow drifts
- Use
- Native pollinator
- Use
- Historic food (expert)
Harvesting & storing camas
Bulbs were a First Nations staple food (slow-roasted for days to convert inulin to sweetness) — but see caution.
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
Camas · Varieties & cultivars
Choosing a camas variety
Camassia quamash; C. leichtlinii (larger)
Sources & plant identity
Know what you’re growing.
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Camas
Camassia quamash
The plant, at a glance.
- Botanical name
- Camassia quamash
- Plant family
- Asparagaceae
- Growth habit
- Bulb · Perennial
- Origin
- Native to North America
- USDA plant symbol
- CAQU2
- Invasive risk
- Low
Hardiness, size and timing vary with your cultivar, soil and climate.
Rooted in research.
University extension research, brought together with hands-on growing experience at Story Thyme Farms.
Questions
Camas questions, answered straight.
Is camas safe for kids and pets?
Camas is commonly eaten and isn't considered toxic, but "commonly eaten" isn't a guarantee for any particular person or animal — allergies, quantity, and which part you eat all matter. One caveat on this one: Blue camas bulb edible when properly slow-cooked; the look-alike DEATH CAMAS (white flowers) is lethal — never eat a camas bulb you can't confirm in bloom. Never eat a plant you haven't positively identified, and check with a vet before letting pets or livestock graze anything new.
When do you harvest camas?
Bulbs were a First Nations staple food (slow-roasted for days to convert inulin to sweetness) — but see caution.
How do you propagate camas?
Offsets, division, or bulbils.
Elsewhere
Where camas sits in the library.
Sunflower
Zinnia
Peony
Daylily