Camassia quamash

Common camas (Camassia quamash, Liliaceae) is a bulbous perennial herb native to western North America from southern Canada through the northwestern United States, ranging from British Columbia and Alberta to California and east to Montana and Wyoming. Eight subspecies are documented across its wide geographic range. Grass-like leaves emerge from a persistent bulb, and blue-violet flowers appear on upright stems, creating sheets of color when massed in meadow plantings.

Common camas grows on well-drained soil high in humus, in habitats ranging from open meadows and prairies to lightly shaded forests and rocky outcrops. It naturalizes well in garden settings. The bulbs are edible when properly cooked, traditionally prepared by baking one to three days in fire pits. The genus name derives from the Nez Perce word for the bulb. Once-extensive camas prairies across western North America have been diminished by development and agriculture. No cultivars are documented and no significant pest or disease issues are known.