Common Name: Hoary Balsamroot

General Information

Balsamorhiza incana is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing from a woody taproot. The leaves are mainly basal, usually 10 - 45cm long with flowering stems 20 - 35cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - Washington to Montana, south to Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming.

Habitat

Meadows and other moderately moist to moderately dry open places[]. Grassy meadows, dry, rocky sites, openings in conifer forests; at elevations from 1,200 - 2,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Balsamorhiza incana is a very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c[].
Requires a deep fertile well-drained loam in full sun[, ]. Plants strongly resent winter wet[, ].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and should be planted into their permanent positions whilst still small[].
This species hybridizes in the wild with Balsamorhiza sagittata[].

Edible Uses

Root - raw or cooked[, , ]. The thick root can be eaten raw[].

Seed - raw or cooked. It can be ground into a powder and made into a bread.

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves, roots and stems has been used in the treatment of stomach pains and colds and as a steam bath for treating headaches[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].
Division in spring. Very difficult since the plant strongly resents root disturbance[]. 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.