Balsamorhiza lanata
Woolly balsamroot
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Balsamorhiza lanata (Woolly balsamroot) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive dense white tomentose covering on all parts.
Woolly balsamroot is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Cascade Range in Shasta Valley, Siskiyou County, inhabiting open woodland and grassy slopes at elevations of 800 to 1,050 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers with large heads measuring 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters across. Growing with densely woolly stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops a robust basal rosette of distinctive foliage. Its basal leaves are large and complex, with lanceolate to widely ovate blades divided into narrow linear-oblong segments, covered in dense white woolly hairs that give the plant its distinctive appearance. The fruit is 5 to 6 millimeters long, developing after the plant's showy yellow flowering period.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinctive dense white tomentose covering on all parts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open woodland, grassy slopes
Elevation: 800-1050 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Lassen, Alpine, Nevada, Sierra, Modoc, Plumas
Bloom period
Balsamorhiza lanata blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 lanata native to California?
Yes. Balsamorhiza lanata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Balsamorhiza lanata bloom?
Balsamorhiza lanata blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Balsamorhiza lanata grow?
Balsamorhiza lanata occurs in Siskiyou, Lassen, Alpine, Nevada, Sierra, Modoc, Plumas, at elevations of 800-1050 m.
What plant family does Balsamorhiza lanata belong to?
Balsamorhiza lanata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Balsamorhiza.
Is Balsamorhiza lanata rare or endangered?
Balsamorhiza lanata carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.