Camas Season March 23, 2024

Some just asked me if I can see the camas tips now, to which I replied:

Meaning, Yes!

Camas is doing well at Minto-Brown, the majority of the camas grows in the open field and we are getting some good density in some areas. One stretch of the paths is under full tree overstory and yet the camas does well there too. In fact the camas at Bush Park is near full density and they do better than the fields of camas, so why do the botanical books state camas needs full sun, perhaps this is a misconception. They seem to do better under a tree overstory, especially within oak groves. Why is this? I am not sure, I don’t know if we have asked that question before.

Yes, good density, but these appear to be mowed? Maybe deer are eating the tender tips? Do deer eat camas tips? This is a serious question.

But color is a question too. the Nez Perce area video on Camas shows their color super light blue or white even, for all their plants at Weippe prairie. But our camas in the valley is deep blue to purple. Some have suggested the PH of the soil, I know the valley has highly acidic soils so is the New Perce area soils highly alkaline? We need to do a number of tests because I think PH may be a factor, but I would bet there is a genetic factor too. In some fields of camas in Salem we have deep blue, purple, light blue, white and pinkish, in the same field! Visit the Fairgrounds field in Salem in May and you will see this variety.

State Fairgrounds 2018, light blue and deep, blue camases (cami?) in same area.

Sate Fairgrounds, 2018, two tones of blue camas.

Fairgrounds 2018, Again two tones, white and deep blue.

This is quite common in the filed but you have to be attuned to it. In previous essays i have mentioned this is likely an original camas field, never destroyed by development. Its interesting that they is so much color variation here.

Fairgrounds 2018, deep purple common camas.

What do you think? What causes the different colors? Send me photos of different tone of camas in your area.