Small Camas: A Rare Native Gem Worth Protecting
Meet small camas (Camassia quamash intermedia), a charming native perennial that’s both a botanical treasure and a bit of a mystery. This lesser-known member of the camas family calls Oregon home and represents one of nature’s more elusive wildflowers. If you’re drawn to rare native plants and want to support biodiversity in your garden, small camas might just capture your heart—but there are some important considerations before you start planning.
What Makes Small Camas Special?
Small camas is a herbaceous perennial forb, meaning it’s a non-woody plant that dies back to the ground each winter and returns fresh each spring. As a member of the Camassia family, it shares DNA with some of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved spring bloomers, though this particular variety has carved out its own unique niche in Oregon’s ecosystems.
The plant carries the botanical name Camassia quamash intermedia, and you might occasionally see it listed under its synonym Camassia quamash var. intermedia. But don’t let the scientific names intimidate you—this is simply a way botanists keep track of the subtle variations within the broader camas family.
Where Does Small Camas Call Home?
Small camas is exclusively native to Oregon, making it a true regional specialty. This limited geographic distribution is part of what makes the plant so special—and so important to protect. When you see small camas growing, you’re witnessing a piece of Oregon’s unique natural heritage.
A Word of Caution: Rarity Matters
Here’s where we need to have an important conversation. Small camas has a Global Conservation Status of S5T1T3, which indicates varying levels of conservation concern. This rarity status means that if you’re considering adding small camas to your garden, you’ll want to be extra thoughtful about sourcing.
If you choose to grow small camas:
- Only purchase from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate their own plants
- Never collect plants or seeds from wild populations
- Ask your nursery about the source of their plants—they should be nursery-propagated, not wild-collected
- Consider supporting local conservation efforts for this species
The Growing Challenge
Here’s where small camas becomes a bit of a gardening puzzle. Due to its rarity and limited documentation, specific growing information for Camassia quamash intermedia is scarce. We know it’s a perennial forb that has adapted to Oregon’s climate conditions, but the precise details about soil preferences, water needs, sun requirements, and care instructions aren’t well-documented in readily available sources.
This lack of detailed growing information actually reinforces why this plant is so special—it’s not your everyday garden center find. It’s a true specialist that has evolved for very specific conditions.
Why Consider Small Camas (Or Not)?
Reasons to grow it:
- Supporting native biodiversity in Oregon
- Adding a truly unique plant to your collection
- Contributing to conservation through responsible cultivation
- Connecting with Oregon’s natural heritage
Reasons to think twice:
- Limited availability and conservation concerns
- Lack of detailed growing information
- May be challenging to source responsibly
- Might require specialized care knowledge
Alternative Native Options
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing camas but want more readily available options, consider other native Camassia species that are better documented and more widely cultivated. Common camas (Camassia quamash) and great camas (Camassia leichtlinii) offer similar spring beauty with better-known growing requirements and more sustainable sourcing options.
The Bottom Line
Small camas represents the fascinating complexity of native plant diversity—sometimes the most special plants are also the most challenging to grow and source responsibly. While we’d love to provide you with detailed growing instructions, the reality is that this rare Oregon native requires more research and careful consideration than your typical garden addition.
If small camas calls to you, start by connecting with local native plant societies, botanical gardens, or conservation organizations in Oregon. They may have insights into cultivation techniques and responsible sourcing that aren’t available in general gardening resources. Remember, sometimes the best way to appreciate a rare plant is to support its conservation in the wild while choosing more common natives for our home gardens.
