Balsamorhiza hookeri

Hooker balsamroot is found throughout much of the Intermountain West, from eastern and central Washington, south to the Cascade Range/Shasta Valley of northern California, west-central and southern Idaho, southwestern Wyoming, northwestern Colorado, much of Utah and Nevada, and the northwestern corner of Arizona [7,9,11,17,21,25,44]. Although Hitchcock and Cronquist [22] suggested that it does not occur in Oregon, Culver [10] indicated that Hooker balsamroot may be found in southeastern Oregon. Plants Database provides a state distribution map of Hooker balsamroot and its infrataxa.

Quinney [32] suggested that Hooker balsamroot and arrowleaf balsamroot were both abundant in presettlement sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)-grasslands of the Snake River Plain in southwestern Idaho. They have since become rare due to overgrazing, nonnative plant invasions, and altered FIRE REGIMES [32].

(key to state/province abbreviations)
UNITED STATES AZ CA CO ID NV OR UT WA WY

More info on this topic.

This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

BLM PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS [6]:

5 Columbia Plateau

6 Upper Basin and Range

7 Lower Basin and Range

8 Northern Rocky Mountains

9 Middle Rocky Mountains

10 Wyoming Basin

11 Southern Rocky Mountains

12 Colorado Plateau

Balsamorhiza hookeri Nutt.:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Global Range: Western Klickitat County, WA to Clark County - 3 counties total in southern WA

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

More info for the term: forb

This description provides characteristics that may be relevant to fire ecology, and is not meant for identification. Keys for identification are available (e.g. [9,17,22,25,44]).

Hooker balsamroot is a perennial forb [17,44]. It has a woody taproot [17,19,40], with a minimum rooting depth of 18 inches (46 cm) [41]. Leaves are 4 to 12 inches (10-30 cm) long and grow from a basal rosette [19,21,40,44]. Flower stalks are 4 to 12 inches (10-30 cm) long [21,40,41]. Fruits are achenes [40].

Plants 10 –30 cm. Basal leaves: blades usually gray-green, narrowly to broadly lanceolate or ovate, (8–)20–30(–40) × 2–15 cm (1–2-pinnatifid, primary lobes oblong or lanceolate to linear, 5–100 × 0.5–15 mm, secondary lobes usually ± linear, spreading), bases ± truncate to broadly cuneate, ultimate margins usually entire (plane or revolute, ciliate or not), apices obtuse to acute, faces hirsute, sericeous, or strigose (and gland-dotted or finely stipitate-glandular). Heads borne singly. Involucres campanulate to hemispheric, 15–30 mm diam. Outer phyllaries ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, 10–24+ mm, seldom surpassing inner, apices acuminate to attenuate (margins usually ciliate). Ray laminae 15–30(–45) mm. 2n = 38.

Heliopsis balsamorhiza Hooker, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 310. 1833; Balsamorhiza hirsuta Nuttall; B. hirsuta var. lagocephala W. M. Sharp; B. hirsuta var. neglecta W. M. Sharp; B. hookeri var. hirsuta (Nuttall) A. Nelson; B. hookeri var. lagocephala (W. M. Sharp) Cronquist; B. hookeri var. neglecta (W. M. Sharp) Cronquist; B. macrolepis W. M. Sharp var. platylepis (W. M. Sharp) Ferris; B. platylepis W. M. Sharp

Distinguished from BALSAMORHIA INCANA and B. MACROPHYLLA by the rays mostly less than 3 cm long, and foliage with coarse, firm hairs.

Biogeographic: Throughout its range of distribution in the Intermountain West, Hooker balsamroot may be found within a variety of dry woodland, shrubland, and grassland habitats (see Distribution and Occurrence) [9,17,21,40]. Stevens and Monsen [37] suggested that it does not occur in dense patches, but is scattered and intermixed with other herbs, usually within a shrubby understory.

Climatic: According to Plants Database [41], annual precipitation requirements for Hooker balsamroot are between 9 and 20 inches (230-510 mm), minimum temperature tolerated is -18 °F (-28 °C), and minimum frost-free days are 120.

Edaphic/physiographic: Physical descriptions of Hooker balsamroot sites typically cite dry, open, and rocky or gravelly conditions, both on hillsides and flats [9,19,40]. Hooker balsamroot occurs mainly in foothills and lowlands [9], but reported elevations range from 2,600 feet (800 m) in northern California [21] to 9,500 feet (2,900 m) on Wheeler Peak in Nevada [9]. According to Plants Database [41], Hooker balsamroot is adapted to a wide range of soil textures; its drought tolerance, calcium carbonate tolerance, and salinity tolerance are all "medium"; its fertility requirement is "low"; and it grows on soils with a pH range of 6.6 to 9.0. A review by Stevens and Monsen [37] suggested it is not tolerant (1 on a scale of 1-5) of flooding.

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following Rangeland Cover Types (as classified by the Society for Range Management, SRM):

More info for the term: cover

SRM (RANGELAND) COVER TYPES [36]:

104 Antelope bitterbrush-bluebunch wheatgrass

105 Antelope bitterbrush-Idaho fescue

106 Bluegrass scabland

107 Western juniper/big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass

109 Ponderosa pine shrubland

110 Ponderosa pine-grassland

212 Blackbush

314 Big sagebrush-bluebunch wheatgrass

315 Big sagebrush-Idaho fescue

322 Curlleaf mountain-mahogany-bluebunch wheatgrass

324 Threetip sagebrush-Idaho fescue

401 Basin big sagebrush

402 Mountain big sagebrush

403 Wyoming big sagebrush

404 Threetip sagebrush

405 Black sagebrush

406 Low sagebrush

407 Stiff sagebrush

408 Other sagebrush types

412 Juniper-pinyon woodland

501 Saltbush-greasewood

504 Juniper-pinyon pine woodland

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

More info for the term: cover

SAF COVER TYPES [13]:

220 Rocky Mountain juniper

237 Interior ponderosa pine

238 Western juniper

239 Pinyon-juniper

245 Pacific ponderosa pine

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the term: shrub

KUCHLER [27] PLANT ASSOCIATIONS:

K010 Ponderosa shrub forest

K011 Western ponderosa forest

K018 Pine-Douglas-fir forest

K023 Juniper-pinyon woodland

K024 Juniper steppe woodland

K038 Great Basin sagebrush

K039 Blackbrush

K050 Fescue-wheatgrass

K051 Wheatgrass-bluegrass

K055 Sagebrush steppe

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

ECOSYSTEMS [15]:

FRES21 Ponderosa pine

FRES29 Sagebrush

FRES30 Desert shrub

FRES35 Pinyon-juniper

FRES36 Mountain grasslands

There are no published accounts of habitat types or plant communities in which
Hooker balsamroot is named as a dominant species. It is most likely
a minor component within the vegetation types listed above.

More info for the term: fire management

Because so little information is available about interactions between fire and Hooker balsamroot, it is difficult to determine how various aspects of fire management might affect Hooker balsamroot, and vice versa. Research is needed to help guide fire management where this species is present.

More info for the terms: caudex, cover, forbs

As of this writing (2006) information concerning the response of Hooker balsamroot to fire is limited and conflicting. Goodrich and Huber [16] provided limited evidence suggesting it may have some capacity to recover following fire (see FIRE REGIMES). However, evidence from a postfire vegetation survey by Stucker and Peek [39] on the 1979 Ship Island Burn in the Middle Fork Salmon River drainage, central Idaho, suggests that Hooker balsamroot postfire response may be slower than is suggested above. It was among the few perennial forbs to show a decrease in canopy coverage on burned sites. Three years after the fire Hooker balsamroot cover was still significantly (p<0.05) reduced in burned plots compared with paired unburned plots [39].

Arrowleaf balsamroot sprouts from the caudex following fire damage, and it is likely that Hooker balsamroot does the same. More research is needed to help understand the immediate effects on, as well as postfire responses of, Hooker balsamroot.

More info for the term: root crown

POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY [38]:
Caudex/herbaceous root crown, growing points in soil

More info for the terms: caudex, fire frequency, fire regime, frequency

Fire adaptations: As of this writing (2006) there are no published accounts detailing Hooker balsamroot fire adaptations.

Arrowleaf balsamroot sprouts from the caudex following fire damage, and it is likely that Hooker balsamroot does the same. It is also possible that Hooker balsamroot colonizes postfire habitats by seed. However, as of this writing (2006) there is not enough published information about Hooker balsamroot seed biology to even speculate about postfire seedling establishment (see Regeneration Processes). More research is needed to help understand the fire adaptations of Hooker balsamroot.

FIRE REGIMES: As of this writing (2006), there is very little published information describing interactions between Hooker balsamroot and specific FIRE REGIMES. Goodrich and Huber [16] noted that Hooker balsamroot was frequently found within experimental plots in mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. vaseyana) communities on lower slopes of the Uinta Mountains in Utah. While neither the extent of prescribed burning nor the preexisting fire history within the study area were described in detail, it was mentioned that fire frequency in these units was historically "rather high." Further, on one site that was burned 2 years prior to measurement, sampled Hooker balsamroot frequency was 89% [16]. More research is needed to provide a clearer understanding of the relationships between Hooker balsamroot occurrence and various fire regime characteristics.

The following table provides fire return intervals for plant communities and ecosystems where Hooker balsamroot might occur. For further information, see the FEIS review of the dominant species listed below.

Community or ecosystem Dominant species Fire return interval range (years) silver sagebrush steppe Artemisia cana 5-45 [20,33,47] sagebrush steppe Artemisia tridentata/Pseudoroegneria spicata 20-70 [30] basin big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata var. tridentata 12-43 [35] mountain big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana 15-40 [4,8,29] Wyoming big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata var. wyomingensis 10-70 ( x=40) [42,48] saltbush-greasewood Atriplex confertifolia-Sarcobatus vermiculatus 30,49] cheatgrass Bromus tectorum 31,45] blackbrush Coleogyne ramosissima <35 to <100 [30] western juniper Juniperus occidentalis 20-70 [30] Rocky Mountain juniper Juniperus scopulorum <35 [30] wheatgrass plains grasslands Pascopyrum smithii <5-47+ [30,33,47] pinyon-juniper Pinus-Juniperus spp. <35 [30] Colorado pinyon Pinus edulis 10-400+ [14,18,26,30] Pacific ponderosa pine* Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa 1-47 [3] interior ponderosa pine* Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum 2-30 [3,5,28] mountain grasslands Pseudoroegneria spicata 3-40 ( x=10) [2,3] *fire return interval varies widely; trends in variation are noted in the species review

More info on this topic.

Information on successional status of Hooker balsamroot is sparse. According to Plants Database [41] it is "intermediate" in shade tolerance, and a review by Stevens and Monsen [37] also suggested it is intermediate (3 on a scale of 1-5) in shade tolerance.

More info for the terms: caudex, top-kill

Balsamroots (Balsamorhiza spp.) are perennial herbs that regenerate in the spring from a caudex [12,43]. They also produce new plants by seeds [41]. As of this writing (2006) details concerning Hooker balsamroot regeneration processes are sparse in the literature.

Pollination: No information is available on this topic.

Breeding system: No information is available on this topic.

Seed production: Plants Database [41] indicates "fruit/seed abundance" is "medium."

Seed dispersal: Plants Database [41] indicates seed spread rate is "slow."

Seed banking: No information is available on this topic.

Germination: No information is available on this topic.

Seedling establishment/growth: A review by Stevens and Monsen [37] suggests that initial establishment is difficult and seedling growth is slow, although once established, Hooker balsamroot persistence is high. Plants Database [41] indicates seedling vigor is "medium."

Asexual regeneration: Hooker balsamroot does not appear to spread vegetatively [41]; however, it probably sprouts from the caudex following top-kill.

More info on this topic.

More info for the term: hemicryptophyte

RAUNKIAER [34] LIFE FORM:
Hemicryptophyte

More info for the term: forb

Forb

As of this writing (2006) there is no published research describing the immediate effects of fire on Hooker balsamroot. According to Plants Database [41] it is not "fire resistant," but its "fire tolerance" is "medium."

More info on this topic.

Hooker balsamroot is often among the earliest plants to produce leaves and flowers in spring [40]. Flowering, fruiting, and seed production take place from mid-April into early summer [9,17,41]. Forage utilization literature suggests that active growth occurs from early spring until drought-induced senescence in summer [37,40].

More info for the term: natural

Balsamorhiza hookeri var. hispidula is considered sensitive on BLM lands in Arizona, and is ranked S1 (very rare) by Arizona's Natural Heritage Program [1].

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Rounded Global Status Rank: TNR - Not Yet Ranked

Reasons: Endemic to southern WA; rocky slopes, Arid Transition Zone.

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: Throughout western North America, British Columbia to Arizona, mainly in the foothills. Element part of dry meadow bunchgrass, sagebrush, mountain brush salt desert, and pinyon juniper communities at middle altitudes, abundance unknown.