Balsamorhiza hirsuta
Hairy balsam root
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Balsamorhiza hirsuta (Hairy balsam root) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive narrow 2-3mm wide leaf segments.
Hairy balsam root is a native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in sagebrush scrub, open forest, and dry meadows at elevations of 1,000 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow ray flowers up to 4 centimeters long with distinctive heads. Growing with stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall that are densely glandular and sparsely long-haired, it forms a robust basal rosette. Its basal leaves are large, 15 to 30 centimeters long, with lanceolate to elliptic blades that are deeply pinnately lobed and divided into narrow linear segments, creating a distinctive feathery appearance. The plant's dense glandular and strigose leaf surfaces give it a distinctive textured, slightly bristly character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinctive narrow 2-3mm wide leaf segments
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, open forest, dry meadows
Elevation: 1000-1800 m
Outside California: to Washington, northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Balsamorhiza hirsuta blooms May-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 hirsuta native to California?
Yes. Balsamorhiza hirsuta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Balsamorhiza hirsuta bloom?
Balsamorhiza hirsuta blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Balsamorhiza hirsuta belong to?
Balsamorhiza hirsuta is in the Asteraceae family, genus Balsamorhiza.
What habitat does Balsamorhiza hirsuta grow in?
Balsamorhiza hirsuta grows in Sagebrush scrub, open forest, dry meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.