Christian Doyle
Ms. Overly
Honors Science 9- Pd. 2
May 22, 2008
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
A wild flower called balsamroot covers the hill above my pond with bright yellow colors. Balsamroots are called Balsamorhiza sagittata in scientist talk, which is its genus and species, and cover wide ranges of area. The flowers are bright yellow, with a darker yellow center forming an arrowhead shape. The leaves that grow from the base of the plant are silver gray rather than a green. They are that color because they are covered with fine short hairs. Balsamroot can be 1 to 2 feet tall, with the flowers 4 to 5 inches long and the leaves are 12 inches long and 6 inches wide. Balsamroot bloom from late April to early July therefore they are perennials, which are flowers that come back every year. I have a large population of balsamroot that has located itself above the pond. They need a lot of sunlight especially after a week of rain, and without it, they lose one of their survival needs and die. Balsamroot couldn’t be able to live in forests because the trees reduce the amount of sunlight and they need a lot of it. These wild flowers, not weeds, live in sunny open hillsides, sagebrush, and other open areas. The younger plants tend to be a brighter in color on the flower, with even more silver on the leaves. The older flowers are a darker yellow and the leaves are a more greenish color. Balsamroot does not reproduce after their first year. Their seeds are in the center of the flower and that’s how they reproduce. But they can be carried to other places when animals eat them then leaving the area. Balsamroots are food for several organisms such as bighorn sheep, elk and deer. The Native Americans used several parts of the plant. For example the leaves were used as a treatment for burns, cuts, wounds and bruises. The leaves were also used for healing tea for tuberculosis, headaches and other sicknesses. The balsamroot is also edible to humans.
Ms. Overly
Honors Science 9- Pd. 2
May 22, 2008
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
A wild flower called balsamroot covers the hill above my pond with bright yellow colors. Balsamroots are called Balsamorhiza sagittata in scientist talk, which is its genus and species, and cover wide ranges of area. The flowers are bright yellow, with a darker yellow center forming an arrowhead shape. The leaves that grow from the base of the plant are silver gray rather than a green. They are that color because they are covered with fine short hairs. Balsamroot can be 1 to 2 feet tall, with the flowers 4 to 5 inches long and the leaves are 12 inches long and 6 inches wide. Balsamroot bloom from late April to early July therefore they are perennials, which are flowers that come back every year. I have a large population of balsamroot that has located itself above the pond. They need a lot of sunlight especially after a week of rain, and without it, they lose one of their survival needs and die. Balsamroot couldn’t be able to live in forests because the trees reduce the amount of sunlight and they need a lot of it. These wild flowers, not weeds, live in sunny open hillsides, sagebrush, and other open areas. The younger plants tend to be a brighter in color on the flower, with even more silver on the leaves. The older flowers are a darker yellow and the leaves are a more greenish color. Balsamroot does not reproduce after their first year. Their seeds are in the center of the flower and that’s how they reproduce. But they can be carried to other places when animals eat them then leaving the area. Balsamroots are food for several organisms such as bighorn sheep, elk and deer. The Native Americans used several parts of the plant. For example the leaves were used as a treatment for burns, cuts, wounds and bruises. The leaves were also used for healing tea for tuberculosis, headaches and other sicknesses. The balsamroot is also edible to humans.
1 comment:
Great descriptions of the physical aspects of this flower as well as their reproductive methods. In addition, you do a good job of defining various words in your paper, which adds clarity.
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