SafePlants

Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)

Considerations for Pets

• This plant has fleshy taproots and caudices.

Considerations for Children

• This plant has arrow-shaped leaves.

Quirky Facts

• It can take an average of 10 years for balsamroot grown from seed to develop its first flower, and a mature plant can live for decades.
• The plant's appearance in spring is described as a transformation of "dirt" into "silver and gold".

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Balsamorhiza sagittata
• Common Names: Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Balsamroot, Oregon Sunflower, Breadroot, Okanagan Sunflower
• Family: Asteraceae (also known as Compositae), the sunflower family
• Synonyms: Bupthalmium sagitattum, Buphthalmum sagittata, Espeletia sagittata, E. helianthoides, Balsamorhiza helianthoides

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to western North America, including the western United States and Canada.
• Found throughout the Great Basin, the deserts and mountains of the western United States, the east slopes of the Cascades in Washington, and the Okanagan region.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Perennial herbs with fleshy taproots and caudices.
• Large, showy yellow flowers, often described as sunflower-like.
• Arrow-shaped leaves with a velvety texture.
• Typically has a single flower per stem.

Ecological Role

• Balsamroot is desired forage for cattle, sheep, elk, and pronghorn.

Traditional Uses

• Native Americans used the plant.
• Arrowleaf balsamroot has been used as a stimulating expectorant, stimulating diaphoretic, and antimicrobial for sore throats.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The bright yellow flowers are one of the first signs of spring.

Further Information

• Wikispecies has information on Balsamorhiza.
• More information may be found at http://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/arrowleaf-balsamroot.html.