It can be mistaken for the more common "Camassia quamash", which has an overlapping range. Kamas derives its name from "Camassia quamash", a source of food for Native Americans. Common names include camas, quamash, Indian hyacinth, camash, and wild hyacinth. The quamash was a food source for many indigenous peoples in western North America. Gooseberries and camas root, "Camassia quamash" are traditional vegetable foods for the Lemhi Shoshone.