# Camassia

Camassia flowers are pretty and grow in clusters. They are often found in meadows and are loved by pollinators!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Camassias like to grow in wet meadows and gardens.
- **Also known as:** Camas Lily, Camass

![Camassia](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424282/objects/4929.jpg)

## Appearance

The Camassia has tall, slender stalks topped with striking star-shaped flowers in shades of vibrant blue, purple, or creamy white. Its narrow, grass-like leaves emerge from a bulb, creating a distinct upright appearance. The blossoms form a showy spike, making it visually stand out in meadows.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asparagales
- **Family:** Asparagaceae
- **Genus:** Camassia

## Interesting facts

- Despite its beauty, beware: other similar plants like Death Camas are extremely poisonous!
- Indigenous peoples traditionally baked Camassia bulbs in earthen ovens for food.
- Its bulbs were a vital food source for explorers like Lewis and Clark on their expeditions.
- Some Camassia species bloom so densely they create stunning blue 'carpets' across meadows!

## Special abilities

- **Energy Storage Bulb:** Camassia has a starchy underground bulb that helps it store energy and nutrients to survive winter and sprout reliably each spring.
- **Pollinator Beacon:** Camassia produces nectar-rich flowers in vibrant hues that attract various bees and other insects, ensuring successful pollination.
- **Seasonal Evasion:** Camassia can go dormant underground during hot, dry summers, allowing it to conserve water and energy until conditions improve.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-90 cm
- **Spread:** 15-30 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from the flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Yellow-faced bumblebee (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — Visits Camassia flowers, aiding in reproduction.
- **Eaten by:** [California Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-vole) (*Microtus californicus*) — Volves may dig up and eat Camassia bulbs.
- **Eats:** American Black Bear (*Ursus americanus*) — Bears occasionally consume Camassia bulbs.

## Traits

- [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.
- [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

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Camassia?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Camassia?

30-90 cm

### How wide does Camassia spread?

15-30 cm

### How big are the flowers on Camassia?

2-4 cm

### When does Camassia bloom?

Late spring to early summer

### Is Camassia edible?

Yes

### Is Camassia toxic?

Mild

### What is Camassia's lifecycle?

Perennial

## 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*)

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Source: [Camassia: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/camassia)