Species PlantsWild Hyacinth

Wild Hyacinth

Camassia scilloides

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Wild Hyacinth (Camassia scilloides)

Wild Hyacinth produces beautiful pale blue to white flower spikes in spring, rising from grasslands and open woods where few other plants have yet leafed out. Its starchy bulbs were an important food source for many Native American nations, who harvested, roasted, and dried them in large quantities. The similar-looking death camas is toxic — careful identification is essential.

Habitat
Tallgrass prairies, open woodlands, and moist meadows of the central and eastern United States
Diet
Bulbs historically eaten by Indigenous peoples; flowers provide early nectar for native bees
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Wild Hyacinth

The best time to see a Wild Hyacinth is April–May, when about 93% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 7,151 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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