This is a genus of six herbaceous perennial bulbs in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) native to North America. They can often be found growing wild in great numbers in moist meadows and woodland edges. The Genus name is derived from the Native American Indian name of kamas or quamash for a genus plant whose bulb was once used by native Americans as a food source. These plants will grow 1 to 4 feet tall and flower best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Plant bulbs in the fall in well-drained, moist, humus-rich soils. Propagate by division of bulb offsets or seeds. The plants will slowly spread, but are not considered weedy. In summer, a multi-flowered stem will rise above the main plant and display flowers that vary in color by species from pale lilac or white to a deep purple or blue-violet. When in flower, the plant can appear as a blanket of color across an entire meadow. Once planted, they will usually bloom for many years. The grass-like foliage will die back after flowering. Use these plants in naturalized areas, meadows, borders and mass planted. They bloom later than daffodils, so they help fill in a gap. Use in a pollinator, cutting or cottage garden. Be sure to choose a species native to your area. Diseases, Insects, 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) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Basal linear leaves measuring 8 to 32 inches in length emerge early in the spring. Leaves tend to die back after flowering.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Inflorescences appearing terminal, racemose, bracteate; bracts sterile or subtending flowers, narrowly lanceolate. The flower stalks stand 24 to 30 inhes tall and display dozens of star-like florets that open from the bottom up in various colors.