Balsamorhiza sagittata is a North American species of flowering plant in the tribe Heliantheae of the family Asteraceae known by the common name arrowleaf balsamroot. Also sometimes called Oregon sunflower,[2][3] it is widespread across western Canada and much of the western United States.[4]
Description
The leaves are entire and covered with fine to rough hairs, especially on the undersides.
This is a taprooted perennial herb growing a hairy, glandular stem 20 to 60 centimetres (7+3⁄4 to 23+1⁄2 inches) tall, with the plant's total height up to 80 cm (31 in).[5] The branching, barky root may extend over 2 metres (6+1⁄2 feet) deep into the soil. The silvery-gray basal leaves[5] are generally triangular in shape and large, approaching 50 cm (20 in) in maximum length. Leaves farther up the stem are linear to narrowly oval in shape and smaller. The leaves have untoothed edges and are coated in fine to rough hairs, especially on the undersides.[6][7][8][9]
The inflorescence bears one or more flower head, sometimes more than one on the same stem,[10] blooming from May to July.[5] Each head has a center of long yellowish tubular disc florets and a fringe of 8–25 bright yellow ray florets, each up to 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) long.[5] The fruit is a hairless achene about 8 millimetres (3⁄8 in) long.[11]
B. deltoidea is similar but is greener, less hairy, and does not retain its ray flowers for long.[5]
Grazing animals find the plant palatable, especially the flowers and developing seed heads.[11] Elk and deer browse the leaves.[15]
Uses
Coming into season in late spring, all of the plant can be eaten—particularly the leaves (raw or cooked), roots (cooked), and the seeds, raw or pounded into flour.[14][16] It can be bitter and pine-like in taste.[17] The leaves are best collected when young and can carry a citrus flavor.[18]
^Klinkenberg, Brian, ed. (2014). "Balsamorhiza sagittata". E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
^Giblin, David, ed. (2015). "Balsamorhiza sagittata". WTU Herbarium Image Collection. Burke Museum, University of Washington. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
^ abcMcWilliams, Jack (2002). "Balsamorhiza sagittata". Fire Effects Information System (FEIS). US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (USFS), Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
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