Camassia
(from Quamash, so called by the North American Indians, who eat the bulbs). SYN. Sitocodium. ORD. Liliaceae. A small genus (two species) of handsome bulbous plants. Perianth of six segments, slightly connected at base, and spreading out horizontally, but not equally Leaves narrow, about 1ft. long, grooved down the inside. They thrive best in a sheltered, partially-shaded situation, but will do fairly well in almost any ordinary good garden soil. A compost of loam and leaf mould, with a liberal mixture of sharp sand, suits them best. They need not be disturbed for several years; but a top-dressing of rich soil or well-rotted manure may be given yearly. Propagated by offsets and seeds. The plants are so hardy that they ripen seeds in warm situations. These may be sown as soon as ripe, or the following spring, either in a warm situation out of doors, or in pots or boxes, under glass. The young plants make rapid progress, and should remain for at least two years in the seed beds. The best time for final transplanting is in February. Offsets are produced very freely, and should be removed either when in a dormant condition, or just previously to starting into fresh growth, and arranged in clumps or lines, placing a little sand about them. C. esculenta (edible).* Camash or Quamash. fl. blue, about 2in. across; racemes loose, ten to twenty-flowered, borne on stout scapes; perianth six-cleft, the five upper segments close together, the sixth standing by itself. Summer. l. linear, about 1ft. high. Columbia, &c., 1837. The colour of the flowers varies from a deep blue to nearly white. (B. R. 1486.) The white-flowered form is figured in B. M. 2774, under the name of Scilla esculenta flore albo.
C. e. Leichtlini (Leichtlin's).* fl. creamy-white, larger than those of the type, with more numerous nerves in the keel of the segments of the perianth; racemes longer, and sometimes compound. Spring. h. 2ft. Columbia, 1853. This also differs from the type in its more robust habit and broader leaves. SYN.