Balsamorhiza hookeri
Hooker's balsam root
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Balsamorhiza hookeri (Hooker's balsam root) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive wide, flat, obtuse phyllary tips that are densely strigose-canescent.
Hooker's balsam root is a California native perennial found in eastern California Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau on dry slopes and valleys at elevations of 1,300 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 1.5 to 3 centimeters long with distinctive daisy-like heads. Growing with stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall that are densely hairy and becoming nearly smooth with age, it forms robust basal rosettes. Its basal leaves are large, ranging 20 to 40 centimeters long, with complex pinnately divided blades that are finely hairy and grayish-green, featuring linear to oblong segments that are often further subdivided. The plant produces fruit 5 to 7 millimeters long, characteristic of its sunflower family lineage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinctive wide, flat, obtuse phyllary tips that are densely strigose-canescent
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, valleys
Elevation: 1300-1800 m
Outside California: to eastern Washington, northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Balsamorhiza hookeri 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 hookeri native to California?
Yes. Balsamorhiza hookeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Balsamorhiza hookeri bloom?
Balsamorhiza hookeri blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Balsamorhiza hookeri belong to?
Balsamorhiza hookeri is in the Asteraceae family, genus Balsamorhiza.
What habitat does Balsamorhiza hookeri grow in?
Balsamorhiza hookeri grows in dry slopes, valleys.
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.