# 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. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Wet meadows ![Atlantic camas](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Camassia_scilloides_Ozarks.jpg&width=800) Photo: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camassia_scilloides_Ozarks.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Asparagales - **Family:** Asparagaceae - **Genus:** Camassia ## 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 - **Early Bloomer:** Atlantic camas can flower very early in spring, using energy stored in its bulb to grow before tree leaves block the sunlight. - **Underground Survival:** It has a starchy bulb underground, allowing it to survive harsh winters and summer droughts by storing food. - **Pollinator Attraction:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not eat any wild plants unless you are sure they are safe and have permission from an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Atlantic camas? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Atlantic camas? 30-60 cm ### How wide does Atlantic camas spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Atlantic camas? 2-3 cm ### When does Atlantic camas bloom? Spring ### Is Atlantic camas edible? Yes ### Is Atlantic camas toxic? Mild ### What is Atlantic camas's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Gensburg-Markham Prairie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gensburg-markham-prairie) — Illinois, US · Nature Reserve - [Eureka Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eureka-springs-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Gifford State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gifford-state-forest) — Ohio, US · Forest - [ME's Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mes-zoo) — Indiana, US · Zoo - [Ozark National Scenic Riverways](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ozark-national-scenic-riverways) — Missouri, US · Natural Landmark - [Taltree Arboretum and Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/taltree-arboretum-and-gardens) — Indiana, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Atlantic camas](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/atlantic-camas) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Atlantic camas: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-camas)