Camassia quamash versus Zigadenus venenosus (Common versus Latin)
April showers brought May flowers.
Entire fields of them!
Yellow Oregon Grapes, white Saskatoon berry and heavenly blue Camas among others.
Many other species will follow shortly.
 |
| Common Camas - Camassia quamash |
 |
| Common Camas |
These blue gems belong to the asparagus family and as such also appear in early spring. There are several species of camas, the one found in Southern Interior of BC is most likely Common Camas also called Small Camas, Camash or Quamash.
See my point?
One Latin name, several common names and who is supposed to know which one is right?
See my point?
One Latin name, several common names and who is supposed to know which one is right?
They are native to North America and their small bulbs were an important source of food for the native populations of Southern British Columbia.
Indigenous people inhabiting the areas of Kootenay - Columbia regions used to spend their Spring-Fall months camping along the river banks, fishing, hunting and collecting plants and berries for food.
Camas and other plants became so important that until this day one can make a safe guess about the locations of their campsites by the patches of these blue flowers.
Indigenous people inhabiting the areas of Kootenay - Columbia regions used to spend their Spring-Fall months camping along the river banks, fishing, hunting and collecting plants and berries for food.
Camas and other plants became so important that until this day one can make a safe guess about the locations of their campsites by the patches of these blue flowers.
 |
| Common Camas |
 |
| Common Camas - good guy. |
People wishing to experience the taste of starchy Camas bulb (some say that, when steamed or roasted, it tastes somewhat like sweet potato) should be careful not to confuse it with the very similar bulb of Death Camas.
While the common names of both are similar (Camas) these plants do belong to different families.
So learn your Latin people!
Latin names will clear the confusion caused by those who just shell out the names based on appearances.
Death Camas (Zigadenus venenosus) contains powerful alkaloids that can cause death in animals, humans included. |
| Death Camas - bad guy. |
So learn your Latin people!
Latin names will clear the confusion caused by those who just shell out the names based on appearances.
 |
| Death Camas - Zigadenus venenosus |
Common Camas blooms earlier than Death Camas - and that is the problem for those who decide to collect the bulbs for both kinds are nearly identical in appearance.
Solution?
Shop for your veggies in supermarkets or plant your own and Nature deal with the rest.
Lovely blue Camas! Thanks for explaining the difference between the 2 Camas. If you know your edible plants well, nature can be a forager's supermarket.
ReplyDelete