As I was looking through my pictures of flowers, I came across a picture of an Okanagan Sunflower (otherwise known as Arrowleaf Balsamroot). This plant is not native to the coastal regions of BC, but it is abundant in the Okanagan region where I am from. I thought I would do a little research on this plant to see it’s significance in my hometown.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot is a relative to the sunflower. It’s leaves are course and arrow-shaped. A single plant has bunches of yellow flowers that start to bloom in the Spring. This plant takes approximately 10 years to establish, however, once it does it has extremely strong and sturdy roots. For example, the top part of the plant may be “top-killed” by a wildfire, but the roots remain persistant which allows for regrowth. Arrowleaf Balsamroot is also drought resistant and stays relatively hardy in the winter.

This plant has many indigenous uses since most of it is edible and is high in fibre and energy content. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and the seeds are roasted or ground into flour. The roots contain an immune-stimulating substance and a sap that can be used for disinfectant. The roots also become edible once roasted or steamed.

This flower is super abundant in the Okanagan in the spring and summer months. During some seasons, the flowers are so abundant that the hills around the area are completely covered in yellow and green. I always knew them as the flowers that smelt a little bit like chocolate, but now I am excited to know so much more about them!