The Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt.) is perhaps the showiest spring flower in the short bunchgrass and Ponderosa Pine communities around Spokane. A member of the Aster Family (Asteraceae), the Arrowleaf Balsamroot is the most common and widespread of the Balsamroots (Balsamorhiza ssp.)
It occurs in much of western North America from British Columbia to California to the Dakotas, where it thrives in many types of habitat from mountain forests to grassland to desert scrub. It has a taproot which helps it be drought tolerate. It dies back after its spring display. All parts of the plant are apparently edible, but I have not tried it.
I remember picking them along the railroad tracks and giving them to my mom on May Day.