Family: Asparagaceae
Author: (Raf.) Cory
Bibliography: Rhodora 38: 405 (1936)
Year: 1936
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Camassia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Ontario to C. & E. U.S.A.
Description
Wild hyacinth, scientifically known as Camassia scilloides, is a striking perennial herb that captures the beauty of North America’s diverse flora. Belonging to the Asparagaceae family, this plant is celebrated for its star-like flowers and its ability to thrive in various ecosystems across eastern and central United States and Ontario, Canada.
Camassia scilloides is a staple in the wildflower communities, often found gracing the understory of deciduous forests and open meadows with its delicate blue to white blooms. Typically flowering in the spring, this plant produces an inflorescence that resembles a wand adorned with numerous star-shaped flowers. Each flower delicately perches on a slender stalk, exuding a subtle charm that captivates both botanists and gardeners alike.
A significant feature of the wild hyacinth is its remarkable adaptation to a range of environments. From the wet meadows and prairies to the rocky slopes and woodlands, this resilient plant exhibits versatility in its habitat preferences. Its ability to thrive in various soil types and moisture conditions makes it an essential plant for naturalizing landscapes and restoring native plant communities.
Historically, the wild hyacinth has held various roles in indigenous cultures, including use as a food source. The bulb of Camassia scilloides, when properly prepared, can be consumed, providing a nutritional resource that has been utilized for generations.
The plant’s first detailed description dates back to the 1936 publication in Rhodora, as recorded in its botanical bibliography by (Raf.) Cory. This thorough documentation has played a crucial role in understanding its ecological and botanical significance.
In modern horticulture, wild hyacinth is valued for its elegant aesthetic and ecological benefits. It serves as a vital pollinator plant, attracting bees and other insects that contribute to the health and diversity of plant communities. Gardeners and landscape designers often use it to create natural-looking gardens that support local wildlife and preserve biodiversity.
In conclusion, Camassia scilloides, the wild hyacinth, is a remarkable plant that embodies the resilience and beauty of North American flora. Its historical significance, ecological importance, and aesthetic appeal make it a treasured species within the Asparagaceae family, offering both beauty and function to natural landscapes and cultivated gardens alike.
Common Names
Eng: atlantic camas, eastern camas, wild hyacinth
Swe: präriehyacint
Fra: camassie faux-scille, jacinthe des bois
En: Wild hyacinth, Eastern camas, Atlantic camas, Southern wild hyacinth
Ar: كماس إشقيلي
Fr: Camassie faux-scille, Jacinthe des bois
De: Östliche Prärielilie
Sv: Präriehyacint
Synonyms
- Phalangium croceum (Nutt.)
- Stilla carolinensis (W.Young)
- Phalangium luteum (Nutt. ex Kunth)
- Anthericum nuttallianum (Schult. & Schult.f.)
- Lemotrys hyacinthina (Raf.)
- Scilla esculenta (Ker Gawl.)
- Ornithogalum texanum (Scheele)
- Schoenolirion texanum ((Scheele) A.Gray)
- Camassia gawleri (Torr.)
- Quamasia hyacinthina ((Raf.) Britton)
- Oxytria texana ((Scheele) Pollard)
- Camassia scilloides f. candida (McGregor)
- Ornithogalum nuttallianum ((Schult. & Schult.f.) Kunth)
- Camassia scilloides f. petersenii (Steyerm.)
- Camassia scilloides f. variegata (Steyerm.)
- Quamasia scilloides ((Raf.) Raf.)
- Scilla fraseri ((Torr.) A.Gray)
- Camassia hyacinthina ((Raf.) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm.)
- Camassia fraseri (Torr.)
- Cyanotris scilloides (Raf.)
- Camassia esculenta ((Ker Gawl.) B.L.Rob.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 13, 2015 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 9, 2022 by Zdeněk Mezník (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2022 by regular guy (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 13, 2015 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 26, 2020 by franchi Gianni (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 30, 2020 by Eddie Veenstra (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2019 by Dominic Bazinet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2019 by Dominic Bazinet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 7, 2016 by EOL − Rebecca Stubbs (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 5, 2016 by EOL − Marissa (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 7, 2016 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 2, 2015 by EOL − randomrover88 (cc-by)
Taken Jun 3, 2015 by EOL − jessicaross2014 (cc-by-nc)
Fruit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 21, 2004 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2769112)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:43771-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Camassia scilloides (Raf.) Cory)
Specifications
Growth form>: Single Crown
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
Growth rate>: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 4.2