Family: Asteraceae or Sunflower/ Aster/ Daisy
Ecology/ Botany:
This tap-rooted perennial covers open, sunny slopes in the dry climatic regions. It prefers forest types like Ponderosa Pine or Interior Douglas Fir.
Medicinal/Traditional/Other Uses:
An important food and medicine plant for Indigenous cultures, the resinous taproots are edible, and the small sunflower-like seeds can be made into flour. Syilx (Okanagan) people have used the leaves for smoking. It has medicinal properties that support the respiratory system.
References/Other useful Links:
Parish, Coupe, Lloyd. 1996. Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia. B. C. Ministry of Forests and Lone Pine Publishing.
E-FLORA BC: ELECTRONIC ATLAS OF THE FLORA OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Native American Ethnobotany DB