Plant Guide: Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata [Pursh] Nutt.)

Abstract

A wide variety of wildlife utilizes arrowleaf balsamroot. Deer, elk, bighorn sheep and pronghorn eat the leaves, stems and flowers. Arrowleaf balsamroot can be used to improve spring and summer forage in open rangelands. Ogle and Brazee (2009) list arrowleaf balsamroot as desired forage for cattle, sheep, elk, and pronghorn in spring and summer. Young tissues of arrowleaf balsamroot contain nearly 30% protein (Rickets, 1994). Arrowleaf balsamroot is attractive to native pollinators (Cane, 2011; Ogle and others, 2011b). The seeds are eaten by birds and rodents. It is believed that the presence of arrowleaf balsamroot may serve as an indicator of good habitat for sage-grouse (Klebenow, 1969).

Citation

Tilley, Derek; St. John, Loren; Shaw, Nancy. 2012. Plant Guide: Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata [Pursh] Nutt.). Aberdeen, ID: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Aberdeen Plant Materials Center. 5 p.