Flower Bulb of the Week: the Indian Hyacinth

This week, the Indian Hyacinth is in the spotlight as the flower bulb of the week. A nice little snack The official name of the Indian Hyacinth is Camassia. The Quemash tribe of native Americans used to cook and eat these flower bulbs. They taste a little like a potato but they’re a lot like […]

This week, the Indian Hyacinth is in the spotlight as the flower bulb of the week.

A nice little snack

The official name of the Indian Hyacinth is Camassia. The Quemash tribe of native Americans used to cook and eat these flower bulbs. They taste a little like a potato but they’re a lot like a rubber ball once they are cooked. Their name, ‘Camassia’, comes from the name of this Indian tribe. Because it’s such a complicated word, we can just call it the Indian Hyacinth, the Camas or the Wild Hyacinth. 

In the wild

Indian hyacinths are blue and can be found growing wild in the United States. They reach a height of around 24 to 32 inches. By May, the flower bulb has produced a plant and its yellow, lilac or blue flowers begin to open.