White Camas: A Spring Wildflower Spectacle in Oregon's Umpqua Valley
11:48 PM · May 1, 2024Camassia leichtlinii subsp. leichtlinii, commonly known as the white camas or great camas, is a beautiful wildflower native to western North America. This subspecies is particularly abundant in the Umpqua Valley of Oregon, where it can be found blooming in moist meadows, hillsides, and open woodlands during the spring months, typically from April to June. The plant produces tall spikes of star-shaped, white to pale blue flowers that rise above the grassy foliage, creating a striking display in the landscape. The Umpqua Valley provides an ideal habitat for this subspecies, with its rich soils, ample moisture, and mild climate. White camas has significant cultural importance to Native American tribes in the region, who have traditionally harvested its edible bulbs as a food source. In Roseburg, you can find White Camas blooming all around the Stewart Park Natural Area near the ponds.