Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

 Wild Hyacinth (Atlantic Camas)
Camassia scilloides   [C-value 6]
Lily family (Liliaceae)
Blooms May - mid-June

The lovely native Wild Hyacinth is uncommon in our area. It prefers full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and rich loamy soil and might be found in moist black soil prairies, moist savannas and moist open woodlands. This perenniall has basal leaves up to 1½' long and a flowering stalk 1½–2' tall terminating in open spikes of flowers, each ¾–1" across with 6 petals that are light blue-violet to nearly white. The flowers begin to bloom from the bottom of the spike and progress upward.

Wild Hyacinth at Richard Young Forest Preserve prairie May 28, 2013

Wild Hyacinth at Richard Young Forest Preserve prairie May 28, 2013

Wild Hyacinth basal leaves at Richard Young Forest Preserve prairie May 21, 2015

Wild Hyacinth at Richard Young Forest Preserve prairie May 21, 2015

The roots and bulbs of Wild Hyacinth, roasted or baked, were a primary food for many Native Americans. Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice.

Click here for more information.

Copyright © 2011-2017 by Kendall County Forest Preserve District. All Rights Reserved.

Back to index page

Back to K.C.F.P. home page