Malheur Experiment Station

Camassia quamash

Camassia quamash Common Names camas, black camas Family Lily Flower Color Blue Location McCall Native Yes Weed No

The Camas is a native plant that was used by the Native Americans (Blackfoots, Cree, Nez Pierce & others). They considered it a delicacy. The bulbs were steamed for pit-cooked slowly for a least a day, up to three, then ground up and mixed to make gravy. This plant was also semi-domesticated by the women to produce maximum harvest.

It is sometimes called "Black Camas" because when it is slow pit-cook, then the bulb turns black.

camas, black camas