Taxon Report

Balsamorhiza sericea W.A. Weber

silky balsamroot

Print Report


© 2021 Scot Loring

Taxon Summary

Balsamorhiza sericea, commonly known as silky balsamroot, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 850 to 2130 meters. Balsamorhiza sericea is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Balsamorhiza sericea W.A. Weber
Common Name:
silky balsamroot
Family: Asteraceae
Element Code: PDAST110C0
USDA Plants Symbol: BASE4
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-May(Jun-Jul) Apr-May(Jun-Jul)
Elevation: 850-2130 (2790-6990)
General Habitats: Lower montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 15
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 1
   Good (B) 4
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 9
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Siskiyou (SIS), Trinity (TRI)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Callahan (4112237), Gazelle Mtn. (4112246), Mount Eddy (4112234), Scott Mountain (4112236), South China Mtn. (4112235), Tangle Blue Lake (4112226)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 4
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
4 27 %
Road/trail construction/maint. 2 13%
Improper burning regime 1 6%
Logging 1 6%
Other 1 6%

Notes

On watch list in OR. See Phytologia 50(5):357-359 (1982) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Balsamorhiza sericea account for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2021)
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].