What is another name for Camassia?
Camassia is a genus of plants in the asparagus family native to North America. Common names include camas, quamash, Indian hyacinth, camash, and wild hyacinth. Camassia quamash Esculenta. Camassia quamash Esculenta, these are smaller than the other Camassia. Esculenta’ displays dark rich blue flowers, that graduates along the spike as they mature.Leichtlinii is the tallest of the 6 Camassia species. A dark blue cultivar named ‘Blue Danube’ also exists. Camassia quamash is a similar plant and the two are mixed up in the trade and hybrids between the species exist.
How hardy is Camassia?
Camassia are generally hardy in zones 4 through 8. If your garden is in a horticultural zone that is either too cold or only marginally appropriate, you may want to apply no more than a 2 layer of mulch after the ground surface freezes in the fall. The mulch should trap the cool temperatures into the soil, not warmth. If a creature consumes as little as 2% of their body weight in camas, the result can be death. This plant contains zygacine and toxic esters of zygadenine, which are neurotoxic alkaloids.Deadly poisonous plant? Yes! All fresh parts of deathcamas (leaves, bulbs, flowers) are poisonous. Dried parts (especially seeds and capsules) are even more potent. Ingestion by humans can cause severe illness and occasionally death, even for adults.Camassia dislike waterlogged soils and deep shade. They are not suited to growing in containers for more than one or two years as they resent being disturbed when repotted. Avoid cutting off the foliage before it turns yellow in mid-summer because this can reduce or prevent flowering in the next year.Toxicity: Unlike some bulbous plants, camassia is not known to be toxic to humans or pets. Camassia species are edible and nutritious plants.
Is Camassia a good cut flower?
Camassia are good cut flowers. Cutting the stems does not harm the plant. For best results, condition the flowers overnight in cool water before arranging them. Plant camas outdoors in the fall or early winter, when soils are moist enough to dig and prevailing soil temperatures are cool. This is generally below 60°F.Camas plants live 3 to 5 years, influenced by soil and climate conditions. Flowering occurs in late spring, attracting vital pollinators for reproduction. Camas supports ecosystems by preventing soil erosion and enhancing biodiversity.Camassia are easy to grow as long as they have enough of the moisture they crave. Their flowering capacity may slow if they don’t have reliably moist soil, or the clump is too congested and needs splitting. Beware slugs and snails too.
Are Camassia perennials?
Camassia are perennials, growing from small, pointed bulbs. Plant between September and November in moist, well-drained soil as they like damp conditions to thrive. They will even grow in heavy soil although it is important to ensure that the soil drains well as bulbs will rot if they are waterlogged. Facts: Camassia Camassia quamash typically grows 1-2 feet, Camassia leichtlinii, 3-4 feet. Culture: Tolerant of many soil types including heavy clay. They like their feet wet in winter and early spring, but need to dry out after flowering, much like most other native bulbs.Camassia dislike waterlogged soils and deep shade. They are not suited to growing in containers for more than one or two years as they resent being disturbed when repotted. Avoid cutting off the foliage before it turns yellow in mid-summer because this can reduce or prevent flowering in the next year.
How long do camas take to grow?
By mid-July camas have gone dormant, storing energy and moisture in an underground bulb for the following year. Plants take five to six years to reach maturity, and once they do, they produce a stunning purple flower, with seeds maturing and dispersing in July. The seeds overwinter and germinate in January. This is the time they are harvested for food. Harvesting and Processing Camas: Camas is dug in April through early June when the flowers or dried flower petals are visible. This helps us to distinguish it from a poisonous plant with similar looking leaves and bulbs called death camas (Toxioscorodion venenosus).