Balsamorhiza sagittata
Balsam Root
One of our showy spring bloomers in the foothills in and around Durango, you'll find this plant growing under Ponderosa Pine and in Gambel Oak. It is especially common in the Rafter J subdivision and throughout the area at similar elevations. It grows side by side with Wyethia, but the two are easily distinguished once you've compared them. Wyethia has much darker, oval leaves.