Lilium camschatcense Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 303. 1753

Bulb scales: large 6–15; small 30–190. Stem 2–6 dm. Leaves in 1–3 whorls of 5–9 leaves per node proximally, alternate distally, 4–10 cm, usually shorter than inflorescence; blade narrowly to broadly lanceolate; distal leaves usually ± equaling proximalmost leaf. Flowers spreading to nodding, odor unpleasant; tepals dark greenish brown to brownish purple, sometimes streaked or spotted with yellow, oblong-elliptic to elliptic-obovate, 2–3 cm, apex not recurved; nectaries obscure, same color as tepals, linear, ± equaling tepal length; style obviously branched for 2/3 its length, branches longer than 1.5 mm. Capsules cylindric-ovoid. 2n = 24, 36.

Flowering May--Jul. Moist areas from near tideflats to mountain meadows; 0--1000 m; B.C.; Alaska, Oreg., Wash.; Asia (Japan, Russia).

Coastal Native Americans used bulbs of this species for food. Often the bulbs were dried and later added to other foods, especially soups and fish dishes.

SELECTED REFERENCE

Matsura, H. and H. Toyokuni. 1963. A karyological and taxonomical study of Fritillaria camschatcensis. Sci. Rep. Tohoku Imp. Univ., Ser. 4, Biol. 29: 239–245.