Cutleaf balsamroot

Balsamorhiza macrophylla

Short to tall native perennial forb with large yellow sunflower-like blooms and an unpleasant turpentine odor, blooming May to August. Occurs on well-drained clay to gravel soils as a minor component of upper grassland and sagebrush steppe communities; 4,000 to 9,500 ft. elevation. Minimal tolerance to drought or flooded soils. Grazed lightly by ungulates in spring. Attracts a large number of native pollinators.