Camassia

Originally uploaded by mulysa_may

Camassia quamash
LILIACEAE, Lily family

Here is a ‘pool’ of Camassia at Catherine Creek yesterday. There was also a few meadow death camas growing nearby, which has white flowers but very similar looking bulbs. And as the name suggests, it’s pretty poisonous. I was just reading about how Native Americans weeded the death camas out of the areas where they harvested camas, which was a staple food that was dug and steamed in pits on hot stones overnight. Some was then dried for later use. The patches were tended throughout the year to encourage and protect the important food source. But development along the river has shrunk what were once extensive fields to isolated patches.

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