Balsamorhiza deltoidea
Balsam deltoid
(c) Peter Stevens, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Balsamorhiza deltoidea (Balsam deltoid) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive triangular entire to dentate leaves vs pinnately divided in most others.
Balsam deltoid is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, Sierra Nevada, central western California, western Transverse Ranges, and Modoc Plateau in grassy slopes, open forests, and shrubby areas at elevations below 2,400 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces yellow ray flowers with ray lengths of 2 to 5 centimeters in solitary or paired heads. Growing with stems 20 to 90 centimeters tall, densely covered in glandular hairs and sparse long hairs, it has a robust and distinctive appearance. Its basal leaves are widely triangular, 20 to 60 centimeters long, with cordate bases, ranging from entire to coarsely dentate and generally scabrous or thinly stiff-hairy. Cauline leaves are alternately or oppositely arranged, oblanceolate, with entire margins and short stiff hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; distinctive triangular entire to dentate leaves vs pinnately divided in most others
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Grassy slopes, open forests, shrubby areas
Elevation: < 2400 m
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Balsamorhiza deltoidea blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Wyethia: Balsamorhiza leaves cluster at ground level; Wyethia has several leaves scattered up the stem.; vs Agnorhiza: Balsamorhiza has entirely basal leaves; Agnorhiza has leaves along the stem.; vs Crepis: Balsamorhiza has large sunflower-like yellow flowers; Crepis has dandelion-like flowers with only ray petals.; vs Arnica: Balsamorhiza leaves are at the base only; Arnica has opposite pairs of leaves on the stem.; vs Pallenis: Balsamorhiza stems are nearly leafless; Pallenis has many leaves densely packed up the stem.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balsamorhiza deltoidea native to California?
Yes. Balsamorhiza deltoidea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Balsamorhiza deltoidea bloom?
Balsamorhiza deltoidea blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Balsamorhiza deltoidea belong to?
Balsamorhiza deltoidea is in the Asteraceae family, genus Balsamorhiza.
What habitat does Balsamorhiza deltoidea grow in?
Balsamorhiza deltoidea grows in Common. Grassy slopes, open forests, shrubby areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.