Camas is the only species in this genus. and is native to the southeastern United States including North Carolina. It is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). Twenty species formerly in the genus are now found in four different genera. Distinguishing characteristics are the rhizome, which is thick and twisted and two conspicuous glands per tepal. The species epithet means "becoming glabrous or hairless." In its native environment, it can be found growing in sandhill seepage bogs, pine savannas, pocosin edges, along small streams and in sandy pine lands. Typically, it grows in areas of low elevations, under 350 feet. This plant grows 2-4 feet tall and prefers full sun in moist to wet acidic soil. Bog-type growing conditions are best for this plant. Growing from thick, twisted rhizomes, it flowers in mid-summer to early fall with white to creamy blooms in panicles of 30 to 70 blooms. Basal leaves are linear and grass-like and turn reddish in fall and winter. This plant can be difficult to find commercially, however, its presence in the wild where it can spread into large stands, is quite attractive. It can be grown in bog gardens and attracts pollinators. It is quite poisonous to humans, cats, dogs and livestock. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Veined, linear, grass-like basal leaves form in the spring. Stem leaves are reduced.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
6 to 12 flowers clustered on short stems or attached directly to a main stem. 6 creamy white to pale-yellow tepals with two lime green dots. Stamens are long and showy. Blooms June-September.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruit in the form of a cone-shaped capsule displays from August to November.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Multi-branched glabrous stems with a reddish hue.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern U.S.A.
Distribution
AL , FL , GA , MS , NC , SC , TX , VA
Wildlife value
This plant attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses; Short-lived
Resistant to
Heat; Wet Soil
Particularly resistant to
Heat tolerant.
Propagation
Division; Seed
Fire risk
medium flammability
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Seeds; Stems
Poison symptoms
Symptoms include vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, muscular weakness, tremors, incoordination, ataxia and prostration. If untreated can lead to death.
Toxic principle
Alkaloids
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Seeds; Stems