Camas

Camas have spikes of blue flowers at the end of tall (12-28 in) stalks with clusters of grass-like leaves (4-24 in) at the base of the plant. They carpet moist grassy slopes and meadows at lower elevations and flower from April to June.

Blue Camas are widespread in the Pacific Northwest. Other species can be found in the western and southeastern United States. Color may vary from white to purple.

Could it be? Smooth Camas (White Camas) and Death Camas (Mountain Death Camas), found in western North America, are unrelated and poisonous. Smooth Camas have white flowers with a green heart at the base of each flower and are slightly poisonous. Death Camas have similar flowers but grow at higher altitudes and are very poisonous.

Did you know? Elk, Deer, and Moose graze on Camas leaves, while gophers have been known to nibble on the bulbs and then move them to a different area.

See Also: Beargrass, Blazing Star, False Solomon's Seal, Fireweed, Goldenrod, Purple Prairie Clover, Red Paintbrush

Easy - numerous and usually easy to spot in the habitats listed at the appropriate time of year.

Grasslands are large open areas covered with grasses. They have very few trees or shrubs. This habitat includes prairies and tundra.

Urban areas have a large population within a defined area. This includes villages, towns, and cities.