''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' is a

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

n species of flowering plant in the tribe Heliantheae of the family Asteraceae known by the common name Arrowleaf Balsamroot. It is widespread across western Canada and much of the western United States.

Description

This is a taprooted perennial herb growing a hairy, glandular stem tall, with the plant's total height up to . The branching, barky root may extend over deep into the soil. The silvery-gray basal

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

are generally triangular in shape and large, approaching 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. The inflorescence bears one or more flower head, sometimes more than one on the same stem, blooming from May to July. Each head has a center of long yellowish tubular disc florets and a fringe of 8–25 bright yellow ray florets, each up to long. The fruit is a hairless

achene An achene (; ), also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not ope ...

about long. '' B. deltoidea'' is similar but is greener, less hairy, and does not retain its ray flowers for long.

Distribution and habitat

The plant's native range extends from British Columbia and Alberta in the north, southward as far as northern Arizona and the Mojave Desert of California, and as far east as the Black Hills of South Dakota. It grows in many types of habitat from mountain forests to grassland to desert scrub. It is drought tolerant.

Ecology

The species hybridizes with '' Balsamorhiza hookeri''. Grazing animals find the plant palatable, especially the flowers and developing seed heads. Elk and deer browse the leaves.

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. It can be bitter and pine-like in taste. The leaves are best collected when young and can carry a citrus flavor. Many Native American groups, including the Nez Perce, Kootenai, Cheyenne, and

Salish Salish () may refer to: * Salish peoples, a group of First Nations/Native Americans ** Coast Salish peoples, several First Nations/Native American groups in the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest ** Interior Salish peoples, several First Nat ...

, utilized the plant as a food and medicine. The seeds were particularly valuable as food or used for oil. In 1806, William Clark collected a specimen near the White Salmon River, and both he and

Frederick Pursh Frederick Traugott Pursh (or Friedrich Traugott Pursch) (February 4, 1774 – July 11, 1820) was a German–American botanist. Born in Großenhain, Saxony, under the name Friedrich Traugott Pursh, he was educated at Dresden Botanical Gardens, and ...

noted that the stem was eaten raw by the American natives.

Culture

A specimen was collected by explorer and

botanist Botany, also called , plant biology or phytology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. A botanist, plant scientist or phytologist is a scientist who specialises in this field. The term "botany" comes from the Ancient Greek wo ...

Meriwether Lewis Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 – October 11, 1809) was an American explorer, soldier, politician, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery, with ...

near Lewis and Clark Pass in 1806. Under the name Okanagan Sunflower, it is the official flower emblem of the city of

Kelowna Kelowna ( ) is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the head office of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The name Kelowna derives from the Okanagan word ''ki� ...

, British Columbia, Canada.

Gallery

File:Balsamorhiza sagittata flower 20070422.jpg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' flower head File:Balsamorhiza sagittata 6.jpg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' insect predation File:Balsamorhiza sagittata 4771.JPG, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' involucre. File:Arrowleaf Balsamroot 009.jpg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' File:Grand Teton 1986.jpeg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA File:Spring Okanagan Sunflower (Balsamorhiza sagittata) Whole Plant in East Knox Mountain Park.png, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' in East Knox Mountain Park, British Columbia, Canada. File:Balsamorhiza sagittata 13.jpg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' seedling File:Balsamorhiza sagittata 8.jpg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' leaves sprouting from mature plant in early spring File:Balsamorhiza sagittata 3.jpg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' mature seed heads in June File:Balsamorhiza sagittata 16.jpg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' mature seed head File:Balsamorhizasagittata1.jpg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' seeds File:Balsamorhiza sagittata 15.jpg, ''Balsamorhiza sagittata'' dry plants in fall that are dormant File:Balsamorhiza sagittata (3625593445).jpg, Bright orange-yellow petals are a distinguishing characteristic of ''Balsamorhiza sagittata''

References

External links

*
Northern Bushcraft: Identification and edible parts of ''Balsamorhiza sagittata''
* {{Taxonbar, from=Q2881541 sagittata Plants described in 1840 Plants used in Native American cuisine Plants used in traditional Native American medicine Kelowna Flora of Western Canada Flora of the Northwestern United States Flora of the Southwestern United States Flora of the North-Central United States Flora without expected TNC conservation status