RNGR.net is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and Southern Regional Extension Forestry and is a colloborative effort between these two agencies.

U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Extension Forestry Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Camassia (leichtlinii)

Amy Bartow
Seed and Plant Production Manager
USDA NRCS - Corvallis Plant Materials Center
3415 NE Granger Ave
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
(541) 757-4812 ext 103
(541) 757-4733 (fax)
amy.bartow@or.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/orpmc
Family Scientific Name: Liliaceae
Family Common Name: lilly
Scientific Name: Camassia leichtlinii
Common Name: Camas
Species Code: CALES
Ecotype: willamette valley, oregon
General Distribution: moist meadows of the western US, from California to Washington, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana
Propagation Goal: bulbs
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: bulbs
Time To Grow: Weeks
Target Specifications: 2 year old bulbs
Propagule Collection: Easy. Cut off the entire flower stalk in late spring or early summer (late June to mid-July) after the seeds turn black and most of the pods (capsules) change from green to tan but are not yet open. As capsules mature on the plant, they split open at the top to reveal the seed but remain upright. Place the stalks, capsules, and any loose seed in paper bags and keep in a warm place until dry. Threshing is unnecessary since all the pods dehisce as they dehydrate. The seed will drop to the bottom of the bag after shaking. Seeds per pound: 70,000-90,000
Propagule Processing: Usually an air-screen machine is sufficient to remove chaff, weed seeds, and empty or immature seeds.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Camassia leichtlinii germinates from seed best when exposed to 90 days of c/m (38F) stratification. Highest germination occurs when seeds are exposed to temperatures of 50-55 degrees following stratification.

Citation:

Bartow, Amy. 2015. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Camassia leichtlinii bulbs bulbs; USDA NRCS - Corvallis Plant Materials Center Corvallis, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.