iN PHOTOS: Blossoming arrowleaf balsamroot sure sign summer on the way in Okanagan, Kamloops
You know spring has definitely arrived when the so-called Okanagan sunflower can be seen covering sunny hills and fields in the Thompson and Okanagan regions. The bright yellow arrowleaf balsamroot is catching the eyes of local photographers. The cheerful little plant grows on open...
Valandos
You know spring has definitely arrived when the so-called Okanagan sunflower can be seen covering sunny hills and fields in the Thompson and Okanagan regions.
The bright yellow arrowleaf balsamroot is catching the eyes of local photographers.
The cheerful little plant grows on open hillsides at mid to upper elevations across western Canada and much of the western United States. It became the City of Kelowna’s official flower in 2000.
READ MORE: Local fields abound with Okanagan sunflowers
Many people enjoy viewing the “sunflowers” and taking photos of them at this time every year, while others enjoy painting them.
The flowers are about the size of a small fist and start emerging in this region around the beginning of April.
READ MORE: How to protect the Okanagan's precious water supply when planting your garden
The plant provides food for wildlife and livestock, attracts pollinators, and has medicinal compounds.
More information on the arrowleaf balsamroot can be found here.
Get an awesome photo of the blossoming arrowleaf balsamroot? Share it with us via email.?
To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
