Balsamorhiza sagittata aka Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Balsamorhiza sagittata belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is a perennial, so it lives for years. People call it arrowleaf balsamroot or Oregon sunflower. It grows wild in western North America. Its range spans British Columbia, Alberta, and western South Dakota. It reaches south into California, Arizona, and Colorado. It grows on open slopes and level ground at moderate heights. Deep soils suit its large root system.

The plant grows about 1 foot (0.3 metres) tall. Its large leaves have an arrow shape and silvery undersides. They have long leaf stalks, called petioles. Hairs cover the leaves, which form a bold clump. Large yellow flower heads rise above the leaves. One account gives late spring as the bloom time. Another gives July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The plant makes seeds that people can eat. A deep taproot helps hold soil in place.

Grow it in full sun in soil that drains well. It needs deep, rich loam but accepts sandy soil too. It can grow in mildly acid or mildly alkaline soil. Neutral soil suits it too, whether dry or moist. It copes with drought, so it suits dry gardens. Wet soil in winter poses a problem. Plants withstand cold to at least −13°F (−25°C). The source lists USDA zones 3–8. Set young plants in their final site while still small. Moving plants once they take root can harm their roots. Splitting clumps can harm these tender roots too.

This long-lived wildflower suits planted beds and work to restore native growth. Its roots bind soil and help land recover after fire. Wild bees, beetles, and hoverflies feed at the flowers. Deer and elk browse the plant in spring. Finches and small mammals eat its seeds. Wild plants can withstand heavy grazing. Insects may harm seeds and cut the harvest. People have also lined shoes with the hairy leaves for warmth.

Records note food uses for roots, leaves, shoots, stems, and seeds. Roots can taste sweet after long, slow cooking. They can also be woody and have a strong resin taste. Roots not prepared well may cause nausea or other stomach upset. Leaves taste bitter and need boiling before use. Large amounts of leaves or petioles may cause sleepiness. People can peel young flowering stems and eat them raw. Indigenous peoples also used this plant in their traditional medicine. These records do not show that home remedies are safe.