What Are Camas Lilies and Why Are They Important to Tribes?
Every spring, fields across the Pacific Northwest erupt in swaths of violet-blue as camas flowers bloom. These wildflowers are integral to the cultural, spiritual and culinary traditions of many tribes in Washington. Read the frequently asked questions below to learn about this important First Food.
Q: What is camas?
A: Camas are wildflowers, part of the lily family, with blue-purple petals that grows in open meadows and prairies across the Pacific Northwest. You’ll usually see camas flowers in full bloom by late spring, turning whole fields into a sea of color. The plant’s starchy bulbs look like a cross between a garlic clove and a small potato. They are a good source of fiber and contain inulin, which can help control blood sugar. Camas is typically harvested between April and June when the flowers or dried petals are visible.
Q: Why is camas important to tribes?
A: Camas has long been a culturally and economically important resource for many tribes in the Pacific Northwest. It has been harvested, traded and used in traditional ceremonies for generations. Its spring bloom was known as a marker of changing seasons.
Though camas may not be a daily staple today, it remains deeply meaningful. It connects people to the land, their ancestors and the seasons. Today, tribes are restoring camas meadows, protecting harvesting areas and teaching traditional digging and cooking techniques to the next generation as part of a broader revitalization of traditional food and cultural practices.
Q: How is camas harvested and prepared?
A: Camas is dug in the spring, when its petals are visible (important for avoiding its toxic lookalike, death camas). Harvesters use traditional t-shaped digging sticks to lift the bulbs from the soil while protecting the meadow. The bulbs can be boiled, baked or slow-roasted. If only cooked for a short time, camas isn’t particularly flavorful, but when roasted over a longer period, it darkens and sweetens. Traditionally, camas roots were slow-cooked in underground ovens for 2-3 days. Today, a slow cooker is a more common cooking method.
Want to learn more about camas? Check out the following resources:
- Important Foods: Camas (Confluence Project blog post)
- Camas (Washington OSPI learning resource)
- Coast Salish tribes enjoy the sweet revival of a camas harvest (KNKX)