cam·as or cam·ass (k m  s)n. 1. Any of several plants of the genus Camassia in the lily family, especially C. quamash of western North America, having grasslike leaves, a raceme of blue flowers, and a bulb that was an important food for various Native American peoples. Also called quamash. 2. Death camas. [Chinook Jargon, perhaps of Nootka origin.] |
camass, camas [ˈkæmæs]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) Also called quamash any of several North American plants of the liliaceous genus Camassia, esp C. quamash, which has a cluster of blue or white flowers and a sweet edible bulb
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants)
death camass any liliaceous plant of the genus Zygadenus (or Zigadenus), of the western US, that is poisonous to livestock, esp sheep
[from Chinook Jargon kamass, from Nootka chamas sweet]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  camass - any of several plants of the genus Camassia; North and South Americaliliaceous plant - plant growing from a bulb or corm or rhizome or tuber Camassia, genus Camassia, genus Quamassia, Quamassia - genus of scapose herbs of North and South America having large edible bulbs Camassia quamash, common camas - plant having a large edible bulb and linear basal leaves and racemes of light to deep violet-blue star-shaped flowers on tall green scapes; western North America Camassia leichtlinii, Leichtlin's camas - camas found to the west of Cascade Mountains Camassia scilloides, indigo squill, wild hyacinth - eastern camas; eastern and central North America |
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