Balsamorhiza macrolepis
Big scale balsam root
(c) Lindsey Salmonson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Balsamorhiza macrolepis (Big scale balsam root) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive large phyllaries 20-40mm long, 6-10mm wide.
Big scale balsam root is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, central Sierra Nevada, Sacramento Valley, and eastern San Francisco Bay Area in open grassy or rocky slopes and valleys at elevations generally up to 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 2 to 3 centimeters long with distinctive large-scale phyllaries. Growing with stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall that are finely hairy and gland-dotted, it forms prominent basal clusters. Its basal leaves are 15 to 40 centimeters long, pinnately divided into linear to ovate segments, with a green to lightly silvery appearance and fine strigose texture. The fruit is 7 to 8 millimeters long with lance-ovate phyllaries that range from 20 to 40 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinctive large phyllaries 20-40mm long, 6-10mm wide
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open grassy or rocky slopes, valleys
Elevation: generally <= 1400 m
Bloom period
Balsamorhiza macrolepis blooms Mar-Jul.
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 macrolepis native to California?
Yes. Balsamorhiza macrolepis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Balsamorhiza macrolepis bloom?
Balsamorhiza macrolepis blooms Mar-Jul.
What plant family does Balsamorhiza macrolepis belong to?
Balsamorhiza macrolepis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Balsamorhiza.
Is Balsamorhiza macrolepis rare or endangered?
Balsamorhiza macrolepis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Balsamorhiza macrolepis grow in?
Balsamorhiza macrolepis grows in Open grassy or rocky slopes, valleys.
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.