Balsamorhiza hookeri aka Hooker's Balsamroot

Balsamorhiza hookeri, or Hooker’s balsamroot, is in the sunflower family. This family’s name is Asteraceae. The plant lives for many years in the western United States. Its range spans Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada. It grows on dry rock outcrops in foothills and lowlands. It also grows in open meadows. It suits mild regions that have dry summers.

It forms a low tuft above a thick, branching taproot. Garden plants reach about 1 foot [0.3 metres] tall and wide. Reported heights range from 0.16 to 1.3 feet [0.05–0.4 metres]. Most leaves grow at the base, with few on the stems. The broad leaves have a lance shape. Their edges have teeth or deep, pinnate cuts, like a feather. Rough hairs cover much of the leaves, giving them a silver look. Once plants take hold, the deep root helps them cope with drought.

Bright yellow flower heads look like small daisies. Stems bear one head or as many as three. Flowers bloom soon after snow melts. The stated bloom season runs from May to June. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects move pollen from flower to flower. Native bees, flies, and early butterflies use the nectar and pollen. Small birds and rodents eat the seeds at times. Insects can harm the seeds, which cuts their food value.

Grow this plant in full sun, in deep, rich soil. Sand or loam suits it if water drains well. It also grows in soil with gravel or rocks. This includes calcareous soil, which has lime. It accepts slightly acid, neutral, and slightly alkaline soil. Avoid wet winter soil and summer watering on heavy ground. PFAF lists USDA zones 4–8. It lists cold tolerance to at least −25°C. Put small plants straight into their long-term growing sites. Disturbed roots cause trouble, and plants are hard to divide. Plants grown from seed take time to settle in. Its small form suits garden beds. Its roots help hold coarse soil.

You can eat the roots and seeds raw or cooked. Cooked roots may taste sweet, though taste and texture vary. Peel the thick root skin before use. Older roots can turn woody and taste strongly of resin. You can add ground seeds to cakes or bread. You can eat cooked young leaves, but they taste bitter and of resin. PFAF reports no known hazards. This does not prove safety for every use. Poor drainage and disturbed roots pose the main garden risks.