bal·sam·root

(bôl′səm-ro͞ot′, -ro͝ot′)

Any of several western North American perennial herbs of the genus Balsamorhiza in the composite family, having radiate heads of yellow flowers. The large roots of some species were used as food by certain Native American peoples.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Noun

balsamroot - a plant of the genus Balsamorhiza having downy leaves in a basal rosette and yellow flowers and long balsam-scented taproots

Balsamorhiza, genus Balsamorhiza - genus of coarse western American herbs with large roots containing an aromatic balsam

herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests

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References in periodicals archive

The last, largest meadow was the grandest of all, what with the cheerful yellow blooms of balsamroot. Related to sunflowers and growing right on the hillside, these golden darlings were dizzying, really.

Glory days

Amidst the bracken ferns and balsamroot were tiny star-shaped flowers I could not name.

El Vaquero

The bright yellow arrowleaf balsamroot is flowering there as cottonwoods fill out.

Poor Will's Countryside Almanack for late spring early summer of 2013

From Arrowleaf Balsamroot, whose flowers and roots were cooked and eaten by Indians, to Zigadenus Elegans, a poisonous death camas flower planted by Indians around their camp perimeters to ward off evil spirits, "Mountain Wildflowers" presents a rainbow of relevant information about beautiful mountain wildflowers for young readers.

Mountain Wildflowers, An A to Z Guide for Young Explorers

While apple strawberry and ginger wines are common more unusual recipes include Japanese knotweed Prune Cattail Madrone Bark Arrowleaf Balsamroot and wild flowers like violet rose and wisteria.

Wild Wines: Creating Organic Wines From Nature's Garden

Compositae Pearly Anaphalis Nectar Everlasting margaritacea (L.) Compositae Balsamroot Balsamorhiza Nectar hookeri Nutt.

Interactions between butterflies (Lepidoptera: rhopalocera) and plants (spermatophyta: magnoliophyta) in south central Idaho

This month, yellow balsamroot blankets Dog Mountain; pack a picnic and head up the loop trail to the 2,948-foot summit.

Travel finds of the moment: we share our two favorite hot spots this month: one in the city for the perfect thin-crust pizza, one off the beaten path for picnics and peak views

On another, I marveled at the bright yellow blossoms of balsamroot poking stoically through a soggy coverlet of new spring snow.

No bait bear: if you really want a bear-hunting experience, spot-and-stalk methods will provide it both in spring and fall

Balsamroot, chocolate lily, Columbia and Suksdorf desert parsley, yellow bell, lupine and stork's bill contribute to the floral parade running from March into June.

River byway weaves through Oregon

Forbs are broadleaf plants that don't have woody stems and include perennial plants such as arrowleaf balsamroot and tapertip hawksbeard.

Biodiversity rebounds after wildfire. (Up From the Ashes)