Camassia leichtlinii

From Puget Prairie Plants
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First overview block: Camassia leichtlinii (Baker) S. Wats. ssp. suksdorfii (Greenm.) Gould Synonyms Liliaceae Large camas, Great camas, Wild Hyacinth

Taxonomy

Description

Perennial herb from a deep, egg-shaped bulb 2-4 cm long; flowering stems 20-100 cm tall, smooth. Basal leaves several to numerous, linear-lanceolate and grass-like, to 60 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, smooth, sheathing at the base, the margins entire; stem leaves lacking. Inflorescence a terminal raceme of five to many, stalked flowers, the stalks 1-4 cm long, spreading in flower, spreading to ascending in fruit; flowers pale to deep blue, rarely white, of six similar, distinct, petal-like segments (tepals), the tepals 20-40 mm long, 5-10 mm wide, twisting together over the ovary when withered; six stamens; one three-chambered pistil. Capsule fruits, egg-shaped to oblong, cross-ridged, 1-2.5 cm long; fruiting stalks often longer than bracts, spreading to ascending, curved in towards stem; seeds several to many, shiny black, 2-4 mm long [1]

Bloom Period

Habitat

Vernally moist meadows in the lowland zone [2]. Grassy slopes and meadows Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag.Moisture Regime-Dry to moderately moist soils [3].Shade Tolerance-Shade-intolerant [4]. Landscaping-Use in meadows, grassy slopes and banks. Showy bloom with attractive seed heads. Very tough plant for exposed, hot dry sites once established [5]. Use in containers or along pond edges Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
  1. Douglas et al., 2002
  2. Douglas et al., 2001.
  3. Klinka et al., 1989
  4. Klinka et al., 1989
  5. S. Bastin, pers. comm