Balsam root, Hairy Balsamroot, Hooker's Balsamroot, Rabbithead Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza hookeri

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A low herb. It is covered with short, fine white hairs. The leaves are sword shaped and divided once or twice. The flowers occur singly.

There are 4 Balsamorhiza species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

The roots are cooked and eaten. They are also eaten fresh. The seeds are also eaten.

Edible parts

Root, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kusiaki

Synonyms

Balsamorhiza hirsuta Nutt.; Balsamorhiza hirsuta var. lagocephala; Balsamorhiza hirsuta var. neglecta; Balsamorhiza hookeri var. hirsuta (Nutt.) A. Nelson; Balsamorhiza hookeri var. incana (Nutt.) A. Gray; Balsamorhiza hookeri var. lagocephala Cronquist; Balsamorhiza hookeri var. neglecta Cronquist; Balsamorhiza hookeri var. platylepis (W. M. Sharp) Cronquist; Balsamorhiza incana Nutt.; Balsamorhiza macrolepus var. platylepis Ferris; Balsamorhiza platylepis W. M. Sharp; Balsamorhiza sericea W. A. Weber; Heliopsis balsamorhiza Hook.;