Camassia scilloides is a perennial herb known commonly as Atlantic camas, wild hyacinth,[1] and eastern camas.[3] It is native to the eastern half of North America, including Ontario and the eastern United States.[3]
| Camassia scilloides | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Agavoideae |
| Genus: | Camassia |
| Species: | C. scilloides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Camassia scilloides | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Camassia esculenta | |
Description
editThe species produces inflorescences up to half a meter tall from a bulb 1–3 centimetres (0.39–1.18 in) wide.[4] It has a few leaves, each up to 20–60 cm (7.9–23.6 in) long.[4] The flowers have light blue or whitish tepals and yellow anthers. The green or brown capsule is up to a centimeter long[3] and divided into three parts.[4]
Uses
editNative American groups used the bulbs for food, eating them raw, baked, roasted, boiled, or dried.[5] They can be used in place of potatoes, but could possibly be confused for poisonous deathcamas.[4]
Taxonomy
editThe superseded name Camassia esculenta (Ker Gawl.) B.L.Rob. (nom. illeg.)[6] should not be confused with Camassia esculenta (Nutt.) Lindl., a superseded name for Camassia quamash subsp. quamash.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b NatureServe (5 May 2023). "Camassia scilloides". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ Rhodora 10: 31 (1908)
- ^ a b c Camassia scilloides. Flora of North America.
- ^ a b c d Elias, Thomas S.; Dykeman, Peter A. (2009) [1982]. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. New York: Sterling. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-4027-6715-9. OCLC 244766414.
- ^ Camassia scilloides. Native American Ethnobotany. University of Michigan, Dearborn.
- ^ World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Camassia esculenta (Ker Gawl.) B.L.Rob.
- ^ World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Camassia esculenta (Nutt.) Lindl.
External links
edit
Media related to Camassia scilloides at Wikimedia Commons- Camassia scilloides. USDA PLANTS
- Jalava, J. V. 2013. Recovery Strategy for the Wild Hyacinth (Camassia scilloides) in Ontario. Ontario Recovery Strategy Series. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough.
