Great Camas (Camassia leichtlinii) is in the agave and allies family (Asparagaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,097 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Great Camas: observations by month (U.S.)
About Great Camas
Camassia leichtlinii, commonly known as great camas or large camas, is a perennial herb. It is one species of the genus Camassia and is native to western North America in British Columbia in Canada and the United States, in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Great Camas by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 838 | May | Apr–May |
| Washington | 259 | May | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (agave and allies)
Ithuriel's Spear
Blue Dicks
common star-of-Bethlehem
Chaparral Yucca
Canada mayflower
Solomon's plume
Desert Lily
Small Camas
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Great Camas?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Great Camas most often seen?
The most observations come from Oregon, Washington.