Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
December 28, 1809
Primary Source Reference:
Peale Museum Accessions Book, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 44
Additional Source Text:
"These bulbs form the food of many Indian Nations residing within and west of the Rocky Mountain. They are called by the Pallatepallers [Nez Perce] Quaw-mash."
This artifact appears on a long list of "Articles collected by Meriwether Lewis Esqr. and William Clark Esq. in their voyage and Journey of Discovery, up the Missouri to its source and to the Pacific Ocean, presented at different periods, through the president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson."
Notes:
Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) and William Clark (1770-1838) undertook their western Expedition in 1804-1806.
Camassia quamash, commonly known as camas, has been a food source for many native peoples in the western United States and Canada.
Jefferson also provided a specimen to the American Philosophical Society, since transferred to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (pictured here).
See the article "Camas" by James L. Reveal and Joseph A. Mussulman at http://www.lewis-clark.org/article/1993
Current Common Name:
Camas
Current Scientific Name
Camassia quamash
