The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: wild-hyacinth, eastern camas, Atlantic camas

Family: Liliaceae (lily family)

Distribution: s.-c. and e. North America

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: Wild hyacinth or eastern camas is often found in prairies or moist open woodlands. The flowers, which bloom first from the bottom of a raceme, consist of six light blue-violet to white tepals that open widely from the center, making them almost star-shaped. A true spring ephemeral, the flowers only last for 2-3 days, though the total bloom period spans from April to May. Like other species in the genus, the bulbs of wild hyacinth are edible and used to be an important food source for some Native Americans and early colonial settlers. Bees, flies, and occasionally butterflies are common pollinators of this plant.