Atlantic camas

Camassia scilloides

The Atlantic camas is a beautiful flower that blooms in spring. Its star-shaped blue flowers grow in clusters and attract many pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Habitat: Wet meadows

Appearance

The Atlantic camas has tall, slender stems topped with loose clusters of star-like, pale blue to white-blue flowers. Its delicate spikes of color make it visually distinct as an early bloomer in meadows.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyAsparagaceaeGenusCamassia

Atlantic camas

Interesting facts

Atlantic camas is sometimes called 'wild hyacinth' because its flowers look similar.

It can live for many years, sometimes even decades, from the same bulb!

Its underground bulb was a vital food source for many Native American tribes.

The word 'camas' comes from a Native American word meaning 'sweet'.

Special abilities

Atlantic camas can flower very early in spring, using energy stored in its bulb to grow before tree leaves block the sunlight.

It has a starchy bulb underground, allowing it to survive harsh winters and summer droughts by storing food.

Its vibrant blue flowers and nectar attract early bees, helping it reproduce when other food sources are scarce.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-60 cm
Spread: 15-30 cm
Flower Size: 2-3 cm
Bloom Season: Spring
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen, aiding reproduction.

pollinates

Common eastern bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

An important native pollinator for its early flowers.

eaten by

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Deer may browse on its leaves and flowers.

eaten by

Meadow vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

Voles can sometimes feed on the underground bulbs.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Cluster Flower

Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.

Spring Blooming

Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Grassland

Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.