[2][3] These are perennials with fleshy taproots and caudices bearing erect stems and large, basal leaves.

The large taproots produced by Balsamorhiza sagittata are edible and were harvested, dried, and ground into a starchy flour by Native Americans when other food plants were scarce.

Balsamorhiza sagittata is the most common and widespread species in the genus within the Mountain West of North America.

Though once covering much of the arid west in spring, this common forb has become uncommon and even disappeared in some areas like the Snake River Plains.

Hillsides covered with these flowers and perennial bunchgrasses and sagebrush can quickly become wastelands of cheatgrass and tumblemustard if cattle or other stock overgraze, consuming the herb and grass energy reserves again and again until the plants individually die, while crushing their only shade.