Oregon Sunflower, Arrowroot balsamroot, Breadroot, Grey dock, Arrowleaf balsam-root
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It grows in clumps. It grows 20-60 cm high and spreads 30-45 cm wide. There is a ring of leaves at the base. These are coarse and arrow shaped. They are 30 cm long. They are downy above and white and woolly underneath. The flowers are daisy like. They have deep yellow centres and paler on the outside. They occur singly at the end of long stalks. They are 5-7.5 cm across. The fruit is a dry achene.
Medicine was prepared from the root. There are 4 Balsamorhiza species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on dry prairie hillsides. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The roots are cooked and eaten. They are also eaten raw. They can be used as a coffee substitute. The seeds are roasted and pounded and eaten. They are also used as flour for breadmaking and to thicken soups. The young shoots and leaves are eaten in salads or used as a potherb. The young immature flower stalks are peeled and eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves, root, seeds, flower stalks
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Mormon biscuit