Liliaceae Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene

Small Camas

Karok - Food, Vegetable

Use documented by:
Baker, Marc A., 1981, The Ethnobotany of the Yurok, Tolowa and Karok Indians of Northwest California, Humboldt State University, M.A. Thesis, page 21

View all documented uses for Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene

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Scientific name: Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene
USDA symbol: CAQUQ (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Small Camas
Family: Liliaceae
Family (APG): Nartheciaceae
Native American Tribe: Karok
Use category: Food
Use sub-category: Vegetable
Notes: Bulbs used for food. Bulbs were dug up with a stick and placed in a pit two feet in diameter. Leaves of Vitis californica were placed on the bottom, a layer of bulbs and then another layer of Vitis californica leaves. Finally a layer of dirt was added and a fire built on top. The mush formed was pure white and eaten by itself.

RECRD: 5824 id: 7861

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