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Camassia scilloides - (Raf.)Cory.

Common Name Atlantic Camas
Family Hyacinthaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Low fields, meadows and open woods[43]. Prairies at elevations of 100 - 1000 metres[270].
Range Eastern N. America. - Ontario to Wisconsin and southwards.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Camassia scilloides Atlantic Camas


Camassia scilloides Atlantic Camas

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
Camassia scilloides is a BULB growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. esculenta. non Lindl. C. fraseri. Quamasia hyacinthina.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - raw or cooked[257]. The bulb was an important food for several native North American Indian tribes who used it in a variety of ways[257]. It can be baked or dried and made into a powder which can be used as a thickener in stews or as an additive to cereal flours when making bread, cakes etc[62, K]. The bulb is about 4cm long and 15mm wide[235].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in almost any soil[42]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a rather heavy loam[1] that has plenty of moisture in spring but does not remain wet over the winter[138, 200]. Dislikes dry soils[200]. Tolerates partial shade[138, 200]. Plant bulbs 7 - 10cm deep in early autumn and then leave them undisturbed.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[134]. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame in spring[134]. It usually germinates in 1 - 6 months at 15°c, but it can be erratic[138]. Sow the seed thinly so that it does not need to be thinned and allow the seedlings to grow on undisturbed for their first year. Give an occasional liquid feed to ensure that the plants do not become nutrient deficient. When the plants are dormant in late summer, pot up the small bulbs putting 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another one or two years in a cold frame before planting them out when dormant in late summer. Offsets in late summer. The bulb has to be scored in order to produce offsets.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Camassia cusickiiCussick's camasBulb0.9 3-11 MLMSNM203
Camassia leichtliniiWild Hyacinth, Large camas, Suksdorf's large camasBulb1.0 3-7  LMHSNM40 
Camassia quamashQuamash, Small camas, Utah small camas, Walpole's small camasBulb0.3 3-7  LMHSNM513

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Raf.)Cory.

Botanical References

43200274

Links / References

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Subject : Camassia scilloides  
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