White Camas

One more camas lily closeup from my trip to Lacamas Park in Camas. 

The rare white camas. I spotted four in all the fields, this one being the prettiest. 

Lilies

Two spring lilies that I like to photograph. 

I've never seen them blooming right next to each other before! 

Camas Lily and Avalanche Lily. 

White Camas Lily

While I was still in the camas field, photographing the chocolate lily in yesterday's post, the same wildflower couple called to me to point out a white camas lily. They informed me that each year they have a competition to see who will find the first white camas. This year the wife won. If only I could photograph faster...I could have followed them through the park and photographed all their finds! 

Going to Seed

My fascination with the Camas Lily continues.  I tried to buy a few plants at a local greenhouse, only to be told that my best chance was to harvest some seeds and grow them myself.  I hadn't really paid any attention to the plants as they go to seed, so it was fun to search and see them in this state.  Now I'll get a chance to test my green thumb!

Camas

I first discovered a blue camas field back when we were living in Olympia, and it was a wonderful sight to come upon.  Camas is found throughout the region, and in fact the nearby town of Camas is named for this flower.  This particular field in Lacamas Park is in bloom right now, and maybe through next week.  I've tried to do some research on the plant, because it's historically relevant to the region.  Camas was a Native American staple.  Called quamash by the native tribes here, it also goes by the names blue camas and camas lily, and is related to the hyacinth east of the Rockies.  It has a bulb-like root, so I was imagining it to be something like an onion, especially with the purple flower, but from what I've read it is more like a potato.  I've never seen it served around here though; the fields don't seem to be all that plentiful so people tread carefully through them during the few weeks that this beautiful flower is in bloom.