quamash

It is called quamash, and is eaten either in its natural state or boiled into a kind of soup or made into a cake, which is then called pasheco.

Houses and House-Life of the American Aborigines Lewis H. Morgan 1849

It is called quamash, and is eaten either in its natural state, or boiled into a kind of soup, or made into a cake, which is then called pasheco.

First Across the Continent; The Story of The Exploring Expedition of Lewis and Clark in 1804-5-6 1805

Among these last is one which is round and much like an onion in appearance and sweet to the taste: it is called quamash, and is eaten either in its natural state, or boiled into a kind of soup or made into

History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark, Vol. I. To the Sources of the Missouri, Thence Across the Rocky Mountains and Down the River Columbia to the Pacific Ocean. Performed During the Years 1804-5-6. William Clark 1804

For "quamash" read "camass," an edible root much prized by the Nez Percés then and now.

First Across the Continent; The Story of The Exploring Expedition of Lewis and Clark in 1804-5-6 1805

Amongst the sedum are clumps of Camassia quamash bulbs that were taken from under the large pine trees.

Faireluriegarden-Someday « Fairegarden 2009

As he stood in doubt, he caught sight of the old Grizzly himself slouching along a hillside, stopping from time to time to dig up the quamash-roots and wild turnips.

The Biography of a Grizzly Ernest Thompson Seton 1903

In early summer the best forage is on the warm hill-sides where the quamash and the Indian turnip grow.

The Biography of a Grizzly Ernest Thompson Seton 1903

As he stood in doubt, he caught sight of the old Grizzly himself slouching along a hillside, stopping from time to time to dig up the quamash-roots and wild turnips.

The Biography of a Grizzly Ernest Thompson Seton 1903

And the quamash beds in May sang a perfect chorus when the wind was right:

The Biography of a Grizzly Ernest Thompson Seton 1903

In early summer the best forage is on the warm hillsides where the quamash and the Indian turnip grow.

The Biography of a Grizzly Ernest Thompson Seton 1903