Asteraceae Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Thompson - Food, Starvation Food

Use documented by:
Turner, Nancy J., Laurence C. Thompson and M. Terry Thompson et al., 1990, Thompson Ethnobotany: Knowledge and Usage of Plants by the Thompson Indians of British Columbia, Victoria. Royal British Columbia Museum, page 175

View all documented uses for Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt.

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Scientific name: Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt.
USDA symbol: BASA3 (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Family: Asteraceae
Family (APG): Asteraceae
Native American Tribe: Thompson
Use category: Food
Use sub-category: Starvation Food
Notes: Dried seed flour eaten as porridge, especially in times of famine. The seeds were laid on mats, sundried, placed in buckskin bags and pounded into a flour. The resulting flour was made into a porridge and eaten, especially in times of famine. One informant said that the seeds were 'choky' and difficult to swallow if eaten alone.

RECRD: 32538 id: 6943

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