Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Balsamorhiza sagittata (species)

Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is a perennial wildflower that is native to the western United States and Canada, typically found in the Rocky Mountains, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada. The plant can grow to be about 2-3 feet tall and has large, yellow flowers that bloom in the spring, typically between May and June. The leaves are large and arrow-shaped, and the plant’s deep taproot allows it to thrive in dry, rocky, or sandy soils.

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The plant typically grows at elevations between 4,000 and 10,000 feet, and is found in a variety of habitats, including sagebrush steppe, mountain meadows, and open conifer forests. The plant is drought-tolerant and can grow in areas with low rainfall.

The plant is also used in ornamental gardening, due to its bright yellow flowers and attractive leaves. It is often used in rock gardens and naturalized settings, and is also used as a cut flower.

Arrowleaf balsamroot has been used by many indigenous people for medicinal and food purposes. The root of the plant can be roasted and eaten, and the plant’s sap can be used as a medicinal salve for wounds and skin irritations. The flowers are also edible and can be added to salads or used as a garnish.

Yellowstone National Park’s Arrowleaf Balsamroot in bloom, Jacob W. Frank (NPS) photograph above.

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On Wikipedia

Balsamorhiza sagittata is a North American species of flowering plant in the sunflower tribe of the aster family known by the common name arrowleaf balsamroot. It is widespread across western Canada and much of the western United States. A specimen was collected by explorer and botanist Meriwether Lewis near Lewis and Clark Pass in 1806.