Contents
Description
Balsamorhiza Careyana, commonly known as Carey’s balsamroot, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the sunflower family, Asteraceae. It is native to western North America and grows in dry, rocky soils of sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and ponderosa pine communities. The plant has a long taproot and produces one or more stems that can grow up to 60 cm tall. Its leaves are basal and are deeply lobed with toothed margins. The plant produces large yellow flowers with a diameter of about 4-6 cm in late spring to early summer.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Balsamorhiza |
Appearance
The Carey’s balsamroot plant has a long taproot that can grow up to 2 meters deep. The plant produces one or more stems that can grow up to 60 cm tall. Its leaves are basal and are deeply lobed with toothed margins. The leaves are hairy on the underside and can grow up to 30 cm long and 20 cm wide. The plant produces large yellow flowers with a diameter of about 4-6 cm in late spring to early summer. The flowers are daisy-like with 8-12 rays and a central disk.
Care Guide
Carey’s balsamroot is an easy plant to grow and care for. Here are some care tips:
- Water: The plant is drought tolerant and needs minimal watering. Water only when the soil is dry.
- Fertilization: Fertilization is not necessary for this plant.
- Soil: The plant prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. It can grow in rocky, sandy, or loamy soils.
- Sunlight: The plant prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- Hardiness Zones: The plant can grow in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Carey’s balsamroot is generally pest and disease-free. However, here are some common pests and diseases that can affect the plant:
- Aphids: These are small, soft-bodied insects that suck the sap from the plant.
- Spider mites: These are tiny, red or brown insects that feed on the plant’s sap.
- Leaf spot: This is a fungal disease that causes brown spots on the leaves.
- Powdery mildew: This is a fungal disease that causes a white powdery coating on the leaves.
Habitat
Carey’s balsamroot is native to western North America and grows in dry, rocky soils of sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and ponderosa pine communities. The plant can be found in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Question and Answer
Q: Is Carey’s balsamroot a drought-tolerant plant?
A: Yes, Carey’s balsamroot is a drought-tolerant plant and needs minimal watering.
Q: What is the best soil for Carey’s balsamroot?
A: The plant prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. It can grow in rocky, sandy, or loamy soils.
Q: What are the common pests and diseases that can affect Carey’s balsamroot?
A: The common pests and diseases that can affect Carey’s balsamroot are aphids, spider mites, leaf spot, and powdery mildew.
Q: What is the hardiness zone for Carey’s balsamroot?
A: The plant can grow in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Related Plants
- Balsamorhiza sagittata
- Balsamorhiza hookeri
- Balsamorhiza deltoidea
- Balsamorhiza incana
References
- https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/balsamorhiza_careyana.shtml
- https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=BACA7
- https://www.nps.gov/articles/careys-balsamroot.htm
