Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sagittata
(also known as Okanagan sunflower, Bigroot, Big sunflower)
zones 3-6
30 seeds
Arrowleaf Balsamroot usually grows in large stands on hillsides. It has long, basal, silvery-green leaves shaped like arrowheads. The sagittata variety can be differentiated from other Balsamorhiza by its smooth-edged leaves. Flowers appear in early spring when aspen start to leaf out, and resemble sunflowers. The flowers are held on long stems that rise above the long (up to 12”), arrowhead-shaped leaves. These large, tap-rooted plants will thrive in rocky pastures. They like a wet winter, but dry summer.
Rocky Mountain natives relied on Arrowleaf Balsamroot as a source of food and medicine. A journal entry by Meriwether Lewis dated April 14, 1806 noted that he gathered a specimen near present-day White Salmon, WA. He noted the native people gathered stems and consumed them “without any preparation”.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot is also an important forage plant for wildlife. Once established, it can withstand heavy grazing.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot requires prolonged cool-moist stratification and incubation at cold temperatures. Sow at 64-71 degrees F for 2-4 weeks, move to 24-39 degrees F for 4-6 weeks, and then move to 41-53 degrees F for germination. This will mimic the seed’s natural cycle of moderate fall temperatures, cold winter temperatures, and warming spring temperatures.
Balsamorhiza sagittata
(also known as Okanagan sunflower, Bigroot, Big sunflower)
zones 3-6
30 seeds
Arrowleaf Balsamroot usually grows in large stands on hillsides. It has long, basal, silvery-green leaves shaped like arrowheads. The sagittata variety can be differentiated from other Balsamorhiza by its smooth-edged leaves. Flowers appear in early spring when aspen start to leaf out, and resemble sunflowers. The flowers are held on long stems that rise above the long (up to 12”), arrowhead-shaped leaves. These large, tap-rooted plants will thrive in rocky pastures. They like a wet winter, but dry summer.
Rocky Mountain natives relied on Arrowleaf Balsamroot as a source of food and medicine. A journal entry by Meriwether Lewis dated April 14, 1806 noted that he gathered a specimen near present-day White Salmon, WA. He noted the native people gathered stems and consumed them “without any preparation”.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot is also an important forage plant for wildlife. Once established, it can withstand heavy grazing.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot requires prolonged cool-moist stratification and incubation at cold temperatures. Sow at 64-71 degrees F for 2-4 weeks, move to 24-39 degrees F for 4-6 weeks, and then move to 41-53 degrees F for germination. This will mimic the seed’s natural cycle of moderate fall temperatures, cold winter temperatures, and warming spring temperatures.
Balsamorhiza sagittata
(also known as Okanagan sunflower, Bigroot, Big sunflower)
zones 3-6
30 seeds
Arrowleaf Balsamroot usually grows in large stands on hillsides. It has long, basal, silvery-green leaves shaped like arrowheads. The sagittata variety can be differentiated from other Balsamorhiza by its smooth-edged leaves. Flowers appear in early spring when aspen start to leaf out, and resemble sunflowers. The flowers are held on long stems that rise above the long (up to 12”), arrowhead-shaped leaves. These large, tap-rooted plants will thrive in rocky pastures. They like a wet winter, but dry summer.
Rocky Mountain natives relied on Arrowleaf Balsamroot as a source of food and medicine. A journal entry by Meriwether Lewis dated April 14, 1806 noted that he gathered a specimen near present-day White Salmon, WA. He noted the native people gathered stems and consumed them “without any preparation”.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot is also an important forage plant for wildlife. Once established, it can withstand heavy grazing.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot requires prolonged cool-moist stratification and incubation at cold temperatures. Sow at 64-71 degrees F for 2-4 weeks, move to 24-39 degrees F for 4-6 weeks, and then move to 41-53 degrees F for germination. This will mimic the seed’s natural cycle of moderate fall temperatures, cold winter temperatures, and warming spring temperatures.