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Arrowleaf Balsamroot - Balsamorhiza sagittata


Family: Asteraceae - Aster family Genus Common Name: Balsamroot Native Status: Native
Balsamorhiza sagittata - Arrowleaf Balsamroot. There are 14 species of Balsamroot found in the United States, all of them in the west. This one, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, is characterized and named by the elongated arrowhead shape of the leaf. While it is in bloom it can turn large patches of the dry montane landscapes yellow with its dominant presence.

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Balsamorhiza sagittata

Distribution of Balsamorhiza sagittata in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Boise National Forest, Ada County, ID Date: 2010-June-07Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Both the ray and disk florets of Arrowleaf Balsamroot are yellow.
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Site: Boise National Forest, Ada County, ID Date: 2010-June-08Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The blossom of Balsamorhiza sagittata is held on a long stem among or above the basal leaves.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Site: Boise National Forest, Ada County, ID Date: 2010-June-07Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Arrowleaf Balsamroot is named for the arrow shaped basal leaves. They are gray-green and fuzzy; a characteristic which can help distinguish Balsamorhiza species from a Wyethia species with which it can be confused - Yellow Mule's Ears.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Site: Boise National Forest, Ada County, ID Date: 2010-June-07Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Arrowleaf Balsamroot typically grows in large clumps with many arrow-shaped leaves and yellow blossoms.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Site: Boise Foothills, Ada County, ID Date: 2011-June-10Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Arrowleaf Balsamroot typically grows in large clumps with many arrow-shaped leaves and yellow blossoms.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Balsamorhiza sagittata
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Balsamorhiza sagittata initially published on USWildflowers.com 2010-07-17; Updated 2015-06-24

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302