Balsamorhiza serrata
Serrated balsamroot
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Balsamorhiza serrata (Serrated balsamroot) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by distinctive serrate leaf margins vs entire or pinnately divided in others.
Serrated balsamroot is a California native perennial ranked 2B.3 by CNPS, found in northern Mono County's sagebrush scrub and forest openings at elevations of 1,400 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow ray flowers with disk flowers 7 to 8 millimeters long, creating distinctive daisy-like heads up to 4 centimeters wide. Growing with stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall that are glandular and softly hairy, it develops a robust base with prominent foliage. Its basal leaves are 8 to 20 centimeters long, broadly lance-shaped to ovate, with serrated edges and a green surface that feels bristly or rough to the touch. The plant's distinctive serrated leaf margins and soft-textured stems make it a characteristic element of its high-elevation sagebrush habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinctive serrate leaf margins vs entire or pinnately divided in others
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, forest openings, meadow margins
Elevation: 1400-1500 m
Outside California: to Washington, northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Balsamorhiza serrata blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 serrata native to California?
Yes. Balsamorhiza serrata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Balsamorhiza serrata bloom?
Balsamorhiza serrata blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Balsamorhiza serrata belong to?
Balsamorhiza serrata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Balsamorhiza.
Is Balsamorhiza serrata rare or endangered?
Balsamorhiza serrata carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Balsamorhiza serrata grow in?
Balsamorhiza serrata grows in Sagebrush scrub, forest openings, meadow margins.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Balsamorhiza sp. — Balsamroot
- Balsamorhiza deltoidea — Balsam deltoid
- Balsamorhiza hirsuta — Hairy balsam root
- Balsamorhiza hookeri — Hooker's balsam root
- Balsamorhiza lanata — Woolly balsamroot
- Balsamorhiza macrolepis — Big scale balsam root
- Bebbia juncea var. aspera — Rough sweetbush
- Bebbia sp. — Sweetbush
- Bellis perennis — English daisy
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.