The Okanagan sunflowers are blooming!

Except these aren’t actually sunflowers at all. These are arrowleaf balsamroot plants, and they are entirely edible from their roots to their blooms.

They grow only in a limited number of pine forests in the Okanagan Valley and somewhat farther south as the valley extends into Washington state. They possibly grow elsewhere but in that case they would be transplants; the range of the arrowleaf balsamroot plant is limited to this area; they are uniquely adapted to this valley’s naturally dry conditions – this is geographically the northernmost tip of the Sonoran Desert – and with their extremely long taproots can find water deep underground.

They were an important food source to First Nations peoples; the roots and seeds were ground for flour, and the leaves and stalks were steamed or consumed raw. This incredibly nutritious plant with its high degree of anti-inflammatory properties is now making a return to local kitchens and can be found on some restaurant menus.

Presently they are blooming profusely all over the hillsides and especially among the pine forests, brightly beautiful with their yellow faces, but they have to be enjoyed now as the blooms only last about a week.

To those to celebrate, Happy Easter and Happy Passover; to those who don’t, happy Sunday. 🌼