Species PlantsCommon Camas

Common Camas

Camassia quamash

CommonPlant
Illustration of Common Camas (Camassia quamash)

Common Camas creates spectacular blue-purple wildflower meadows in the Pacific Northwest, historically one of the most culturally significant plant species for many indigenous nations. The starchy bulbs were a primary food staple, gathered and pit-roasted in large quantities. Bees and butterflies are drawn to its showy flowers.

Habitat
Moist montane meadows, valley grasslands of the Pacific Northwest
Diet
Flowers pollinated by native bees; bulbs historically harvested by indigenous peoples
How common
Common

Best time to see a Common Camas

The best time to see a Common Camas is April–May, when about 79% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,039 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Common Camas? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Common Camas sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Common Camas? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Common Camas is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More plants

Common Cattail
Common Cattail
Typha latifolia
Common Chickweed
Common Chickweed
Stellaria media
Common Cottongrass
Common Cottongrass
Eriophorum angustifolium
Common Dogbane
Common Dogbane
Apocynum cannabinum
Common Eelgrass
Common Eelgrass
Zostera marina
Common Evening Primrose
Common Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Common Hackberry
Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Common Hops
Common Hops
Humulus lupulus