This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Balsamorhiza sagittata
  • Oregon Sunflower

a perennial member of the Balsamorhiza genus in the family Compositae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Balsamorhiza sagittata has 0 edible uses listed
Balsamorhiza sagittata has 0 material uses listed
Balsamorhiza sagittata has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4][5]. The root has a thick crown that is edible raw[6]. Roots have a sweet taste when cooked[7][8]. A long slow baking is best, the Flathead Indians would bake them in a fire pit for at least 3 days[8]. The roots are resinous and woody with a taste like balsam[9].

Young shoots - raw or cooked[4][5]. Added to salads or used as a potherb[8]. The large leaves and petioles are boiled and eaten[10]. When eaten in large quantities they act like sleeping pills to cause sleepiness[5]. The young flowering stem can be peeled and eaten raw like celery[8][5]. Seed - raw or cooked[7][11][12][4]. A highly prized source of food[5]. It can be roasted, ground into a powder and used with cereals when making bread[8][5]. The raw seed can also be ground into a powder then formed into cakes and eaten without cooking[5]. The seed is rich in oil[6]. Oil. The seed was a prized source of oil for many native North Americans[5].

The roasted root is a coffee substitute[13][8].

Unknown part

Coffee

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Stem

Unknown use

Material uses

The large hairy leaves are used as an insulation in shoes to keep the feet warm[14]. An infusion of the root has been rubbed into the scalp to promote hair growth[5].

Unknown part

Hair care
Insulation

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Oregon sunflower was quite widely employed as a medicinal herb by various native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints, but especially stomach problems[5]. It is little used in modern herbalism.

The root is antirheumatic, diuretic, cathartic, diaphoretic, febrifuge and vulnerary[11][5]. An infusion of the leaves, roots and stems has been used as a treatment for stomach pains, colds, whooping cough, TB, fevers and headaches[5]. A decoction of the root has been taken at the beginning of labour to insure easy delivery[5]. The juice from the chewed root is allowed to trickle down the throat to treat sore mouths and throats whilst the root has also been chewed to treat toothaches[5]. The smoke from the root has been inhaled as a remedy for body aches such as rheumatism[5]. The root is chewed or pounded and used as a paste on wounds, blisters, bites, swellings and sores[10][5]. A poultice made from the coarse, large leaves has been used to treat severe burns[5]. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash for poison ivy rash and running sores[5].

The seeds have been eaten as a treatment for dysentery[5].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Febrifuge
Odontalgic
Poultice
Skin
Stomachic
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 6 days at 18°c. Either sow the seed in individual pots or pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer[15]. Division in spring. Very difficult since the plant strongly resents root disturbance[15]. It is probably best to take quite small divisions, or basal cuttings, without disturbing the main clump. Pot these up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in the greenhouse until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer if they have grown sufficiently, otherwise over-winter them in the greenhouse and plant out in late spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Balsamorhiza sagittata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a deep fertile well-drained loam in full sun[15][16]. Plants strongly resent winter wet[15][16].

Hardy to at least -25°c[16].

Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and should be planted into their permanent positions whilst still small[15]. They withstand heavy grazing in the wild[9].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Balsamorhiza sagittata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Balsamorhiza sagittata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Genus
Balsamorhiza
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
Medicinal uses
[5][11][10]
Material uses & Functions
[14][5]
Botanic
[17][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    5. ? 5.005.015.025.035.045.055.065.075.085.095.105.115.125.135.145.155.165.175.185.195.205.21 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. ISBN 0-911010-54-8 (1962-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences (1978-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    17. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)

    "image:ArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Balsamorhiza_sagittata&oldid=75508"
    Facts about "Balsamorhiza sagittata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCompositae +
    Belongs to genusBalsamorhiza +
    Has binomial nameBalsamorhiza sagittata +
    Has common nameOregon Sunflower +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves +, Root +, Seed + and Stem +
    Has edible useCoffee + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useHair care + and Insulation +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Febrifuge +, Odontalgic +, Poultice +, Skin +, Stomachic + and Vulnerary +
    Has primary imageArrowLeafBalsamRootYNPJune2011.jpg +
    Has search namebalsamorhiza sagittata + and oregon sunflower +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameBalsamorhiza sagittata +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata +, Balsamorhiza sagittata + and Balsamorhiza sagittata +