

1486 



CAMASSIA* escul6nta 



Eatable Quamash. 



HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 





Nat 

 Botany, p. 273.) 



»/ 



CAMASSIA. — Bulbus tunicatus. Flores cserulei, v. purpurei. Pe- 

 rianthium explanatum, hexaphyllum, foliolis quinque superioribus ascendenti- 

 bus, sexto decurvo. Stamina sex, hypogyna, sequalia ; Jilamenta glabra, 

 ascendentia. Ovarium 3-loculare polyspermum. Stylus declinatus. Stigma 

 obsolete 3-dentatum. Capsula chartacea, 3-locularis, 3-valvis, loculicido- 

 dehiscens. Semina cuique loculo sex, subrotunda, nigra, nitida, raphe et 

 chalazd corrugatis. 



C. esculenta. 



Phalangium Quamash. Purshfl. am. sept. 1. 226. 



Bulbus ovatus, tunicatus, nucis ave liana magnitudine, atrofuscus. Folia 

 linearia, acuminata, canaliculata 9 Icete viridia, scapo breviora, recurva, v. 

 medio quasi refracta ob debilitatem. Scapus pedalis v. bipedalis, teres, 

 glaucus, versus apicem purpurascens. Bractese subscariosce , ovatce, cum 

 acumine, pedicellis longiores, infima scepiits vacua. Pedicelli filiformes, 

 semunciam longi, ascendentes. Perianthium explanatum, diametro fert 

 biunciali, hexaphyllum, diu persistens ; foliolis atropurpureis, lanceolatis, 

 5 superioribus ascendentibus , sessilibus, sexto unguiculato, decurvo. Stamina 

 sex, hypogyna, aqualia ; filamenta glabra, ascendentia, perianthio breviora. 



This very beautiful plant was sent some years since 

 from North-west America to the Horticultural Society by 

 Mr. Douglas, but did not flower till the month of July in 

 last year. A few flowering spikes then appeared, of which 

 that represented was the finest. We scarcely remember to 



An alteration of the Indian namfe Quamash, or Camass. " This plant 

 is known among the natives by the name Quamash ; and the bulbs are care- 

 fully collected by them and baked between hot stones, when they assume 

 the appearance of baked pears, and are of an agreeable sweet taste. They 

 form a great part of their winter stores. Though an agreeable food to 

 Governor Lewis's party, they occasioned bowel complaints if eaten in any 

 quantity/' — Pursh. 





