speenhw | Camas – Plants in the Hul’q’umi’num’ World

Hul'q'umi'num' name:

speenhw

English Name:

Camas

Alternative English Names:

Great Camas, Large Camas, Small Camas, Common Camas, Quamash

Scientific Name:

Camassia leichtlinii (Great Camas), Camassia quamash (Common Camas)

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Description

Description, Habitat, Ecology, Distribution

Common camas is a perennial herb that grows from a deep bulb producing grasslike leaves and pale to deep blue (occasionally white) flowers. Camas is found in grassy slopes and meadows at low to middle elevations. It occurs on southeast Vancouver Island and at other locations along the coast southward. Great camas is very similar, though less common, and may be found in similar areas.

Island Cultural Role

Camas bulbs may be roasted and eaten, and are said to be sweet and chewy. They have been gathered from island bluffs and baked, steamed or roasted in hot ashes, or mashed and formed into patties and then roasted on special flat rocks at the edge of the fire. It has a sweet taste similar to marshmallows. There were strict rules about who could harvest where and when. And our ladies tended the camas plots to make sure that they thrived. The dried camas would be put away in the winter box and used in soups during the winter time, along with wild onions, and wapato.