The entire plant has a grayish appearance due to a covering of a felt-like tomentum of short trichomes. The long petioles terminating in a wooly triangular, sagittate leaf blade are good identifying characters. | ||
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General
Description:
This large-leaved
spring flowering, showy plant is commonly found anywhere
Big Sage grows. Larger plants have many heart-shaped, long petioled, basal,
gray green, hairy leaves and numerous
flower stalks. It usually grows at lower elevations than Mule's Ears. Arrowleaf
balsamroot has naked or one bracted flower stems while Mule's Ears has leafy
flower stems. The flower heads are very similar for the two species.
Similar
Species:
Mule's Ears.
Distribution:
Lowlands to mid elevations
in mountains from southern British Columbia to southern California east tp Montana,
the Black Hills of South Dakota and Colorado.
Habitat:
Open hillsides and flat
lands, usually in deep soils in valleys and up to moderate elevations in the
mountains.
Other:
The above ground parts contain
flavonoids, 6-hydroxy-kaempferol, 7-methyl-ether, and the root resins contain
terebinthine , inulin, heterotetragylcans and conjugated caffeic acids. It is
used as a disinfectant-expectorant, for sore throats, and pulmonary disorders.
Powdered leaves can be used as a poultice on mild burns, skin sores and ulcerations
and skin infections. It is also reported to be an immunostimulant, thus increasing
white blood cell activity.
The two to 4 foot long taproots were used as an emergency food
by the Native Americans. The seeds can be dried, roasted eaten whole or ground
(including the shell) and added to pancakes, muffins, breads and cereals.