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serrate balsamroot

Balsamorhiza rosea

rosy balsamroot

Stems

5–34 cm, sparsely villous-tomentose; from single taproot.

5–15 cm, villous-hirsute to villous below heads; from single taproot.

Leaves

ovate-lanceolate, undivided to pinnatifid, rarely with some leaves pinnately compound;

margins sharply serrate;

tips apiculate;

surfaces sparsely hispid;

basal leaves in 1–few rosettes;

blades 4.5–15 × 2–5.5 cm;

pinnae (when present) 4–11 mm wide;

petioles 1–9(13) cm, often one or more bract-like basal leaves present;

cauline leaves of 1 pair (when present); opposite;

blades 1–4(5.5) × 0.6–1.5 cm;

petioles 2–5.5(6.5) cm.

oblong-lanceolate, pinnately lobed from ¼ to ??? to midrib, occasionally some leaves undivided;

margins toothed to crenate with pointed teeth;

surfaces villous-hirsute; more densely so abaxially than adaxially;

basal leaves in 1–few rosettes;

blades 2.5–7 × 1.5–2.8 cm;

pinnae 6–12 mm wide;

petioles 1.5–4.5 cm;

cauline leaves in 1 opposite pair or 0;

blades 0.7–2 × 0.3–1 cm;

petioles 3–4 cm.

Inflorescences

with 1 terminal head.

with 1 terminal head.

Involucres

13–15 × 10–30 mm.

10–13 × 20–25 mm.

Ray florets

8–21, yellow;

rays 13–24 × 4–9 mm.

~13, yellow when young, turning from yellow to pink or red;

rays 10–15 × 7–8 mm.

Disc florets

~8 mm.

~6 mm.

Phyllaries

linear-lanceolate, 11–18 × 2–4 mm;

tips acuminate, sparsely to densely villous-tomentose.

linear to linear-lanceolate, 12–15 × 1–2 cm, villous.

Fruits

6–7 × 1.5–2 mm, glabrous.

5–6 mm, strigillose.

Paleae

11–12 mm.

11–13 mm.

2n

=38.

Balsamorhiza serrata

Balsamorhiza rosea

Distribution
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Dry open areas, serpentine. Flowering Apr–Jun. 600–2100 m. BR, BW, Col, ECas, Lava. CA, NV, WA. Native.

Balsamorhiza serrata is distinct among members of the genus Balsamorhiza in generally having simple leaves with serrate margins and tapered (not sagittate) bases. Some plants have pinnately divided leaves. Further work may show that these plants are actually hybrids between B. serrata and B. hookeri or B. hispidula. Balsamorhiza serrata is known to hybridize with B. sagittata.

Open, rocky areas. Flowering Apr–May. 300–400 m. Col. WA. Native.

Balsamorhiza rosea occurs almost entirely in Washington, with one known locality in Oregon.

Source Flora of Oregon, volume 2, page 201
Abigail (Abby) Moore
Flora of Oregon, volume 2, page 200
Abigail (Abby) Moore
Sibling taxa
B. careyana, B. deltoidea, B. deltoidea x Balsamorhiza sericea, B. hispidula, B. hookeri, B. incana, B. lanata, B. macrophylla, B. rosea, B. sagittata, B. sericea
B. careyana, B. deltoidea, B. deltoidea x Balsamorhiza sericea, B. hispidula, B. hookeri, B. incana, B. lanata, B. macrophylla, B. sagittata, B. sericea, B. serrata
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