1486 



CAMASSIA* esculenta. 

 Eatable Quamash. 



HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



Nat. ord. Asphodele^e Juss. {Introduction to the natural system of 

 Botany, p. 273.) 



CAM ASSI A.— Bulbus tunicatus. Flores eserulei, v. purpurei. Pe- 

 rianthium explanatum, hexaphyllum, foliolis quinque superioribus ascendenti- 

 bus, sexto decurvo. Stamina sex, hypogyna, sequalk ; filarnenta glabra, 

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

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

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

 chalazd corrugatis. 



C. esculenta. 



Phalangium Quamash. Purshfi. am. sept. 1. 226. 



Bulbus ovatus, tunicatus, nucis avellance magnitudine, atrofuscus. Folia 

 linearia, acuminata, ca?ialiculata, Icete viridia, scapo breviora, recurva, v. 

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

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

 acumine, pedicellis longiores, hvftmce sapius vacuce. Pedicelli filiformes, 

 semunciam longi, ascendentes. Perianthium explanatum, diametro fere 

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

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

 sex, hypogyna, aqualia ; filarnenta 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 name 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. 



