Small Camas (Camassia quamash) is in the agave and allies family (Asparagaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,764 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Small Camas: observations by month (U.S.)
About Small Camas
Camassia quamash, commonly known as camas, small camas, common camas, common camash or quamash, is a perennial herb. It is one species of the genus Camassia and is native to western North America in large areas of southern Canada and the northwestern United States, from British Columbia and Alberta to California and east from Washington state to Montana and Wyoming.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Small Camas by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 1,363 | April | Apr–May |
| Washington | 1,318 | May | Apr–May |
| California | 449 | June | May–Jun |
| Idaho | 313 | May | May–Jun |
| Montana | 226 | June | May–Jun |
| Utah | 45 | June | May–Jun |
| Wyoming | 40 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Nevada | 9 | May | May–Jun |
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
Ookow
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 Small Camas?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is Small Camas most often seen?
The most observations come from Oregon, Washington, California.