Balsamorhiza lanata facts for kids

The Balsamorhiza lanata, also known as the lanate balsamroot, is a special kind of plant. It belongs to the sunflower group within the larger aster family. This plant is originally from California.

Where Does It Live?

This unique plant is found only in a specific part of Northern California. When a plant is found only in one place, it's called endemic. The lanate balsamroot grows in Siskiyou County. You can find it in the Scott Mountains, which are part of the Klamath Range. It also grows in the Shasta Valley Mountains, located in the southern Cascade Range.

You'll often see this plant growing in grassy areas. It likes hillsides and the sides of roads.

What Does It Look Like?

The Balsamorhiza lanata is a type of herb. This means it's a plant with soft stems, not woody ones like a tree. It can grow up to about 30 centimeters (or 12 inches) tall.

One of its most interesting features is its leaves. They are covered with thick, soft hairs. These hairs make the leaves look almost white, like they are covered in wool!

The plant also has bright yellow flower heads. Usually, only one flower head grows at a time on each stem. These flower heads are made up of two kinds of tiny flowers: the ray florets (which look like petals around the edge) and the disc florets (which are the small flowers in the center).