iN PHOTOS: Arrowleaf balsamroot blooms in Okanagan, Kamloops

Every April the vibrant yellow blooms of arrowleaf balsamroot brightens up hillsides in the Thompson-Okanagan region, and they’re a popular subject of photography and painting.

The prolific plant is the City of Kelowna’s official flower and locally known as the Okanagan sunflower.

A native perennial with deep roots, the plant is found in the southern part of the province east of the Coast Mountains, and is most abundant in mountain fields at mid to upper elevations.

A bright collection of Okanagan sunflowers grows on a mountain side in the North Okanagan. iNFOnews.ca/ Michael Q Foden

Arrowleaf balsamroot provides food for wildlife and livestock, attracts pollinators and has medicinal compounds, and the hardy plant can take years to fully mature.

Go here for more information on arrowleaf balsamroot.

If you get vibrant capture of arrowleaf balsamroot, send it to news@infonews.ca.

The hillsides are bright with arrowleaf balsamroot plants blooming in Vernon. iNFOnews.ca/ Pamela Jenkins

Arrowleaf balsamroot blooms in Savona. iNFOnews.ca/ Dennis Kitto

Arrowleaf balsamroot blooms beside a saskatoon bush in the North Okanagan. iNFOnews.ca/ Roseanne Van Ee

Okanagan sunflowers grow along Crystal Waters Trail at Kalamalka Lake in Coldstream. iNFOnews.ca/ Richard Stranks