Sitka Burnet

sanguisorba stipulata

The Sitka Burnet is a striking perennial herb native to the damp, cool regions of western North America and northeastern Asia. Growing from a thick, woody rhizome, this member of the rose family stands out in subalpine meadows and boggy areas with its elegant, compound leaves and distinctive fluffy flower spikes. Its scientific name, Sanguisorba stipulata, highlights its prominent leaf-like stipules, which set it apart from closely related species in the wild.

Habitat: Thrives in wet meadows, bogs, stream banks, and damp subalpine slopes of western North America and northeastern Asia.

Appearance

This upright perennial typically reaches heights of 30 to 100 centimeters. It features pinnately compound leaves with coarsely tooth-edged leaflets and conspicuous leaf-like stipules at the base of the leaf stalks. The most striking visual identifier is its tight, cylindrical terminal flower spike, measuring 2 to 8 centimeters long. The individual flowers lack petals entirely, instead boasting long, white, protruding stamens that give the entire flower head a soft, fuzzy, bottle-brush-like appearance.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusSanguisorba

Sitka Burnet

Interesting facts

The genus name Sanguisorba translates to 'blood-absorber,' a reference to the historical use of related burnet species in traditional herbal medicine to staunch wounds and bleeding.

The specific epithet 'stipulata' refers to the unusually large, leafy ear-like structures called stipules found at the base of its leaf stems.

Unlike most of its showy relatives in the Rosaceae (rose) family, the Sitka Burnet's flowers contain zero petals.

Special abilities

Possesses a robust, thick rhizome system that allows the plant to survive and resprout in waterlogged, low-oxygen soils typical of wetlands and bogs.

Compensates for its complete lack of petals by growing elongated, bright white stamens that visually mimic petals to attract generalist insect pollinators.

Utilizes unusually large, leafy stipules at the stem junctions to maximize light absorption in dense, competitive subalpine plant communities.

Measurements & details

Length: 30-100 cm
Lifespan: 5-15 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic plant, the Sitka Burnet converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars, drawing vital minerals through its deep rhizomes.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Water
Soil minerals

Ecological connections

eaten by

Grizzly Bear

Ursus arctos

The roots and early spring shoots provide nutrient-rich forage for foraging bears.

mutualism

Leafcutter Bees

Megachile spp.

The long, white, pollen-rich stamens are a vital food source for native pollinating bees.

eaten by

Grizzled Skipper

Pyrgus centaureae

Larvae feed on the compound leaves of Sanguisorba as their primary host plant.

Traits

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Also known as

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Sitka Burnet?

The easiest way to identify Sitka Burnet is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Sitka Burnet?

30-100 cm

How long does Sitka Burnet live?

5-15 years

What does Sitka Burnet eat?

As a photosynthetic plant, the Sitka Burnet converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars, drawing vital minerals through its deep rhizomes.

Where is Sitka Burnet usually found?

Thrives in wet meadows, bogs, stream banks, and damp subalpine slopes of western North America and northeastern Asia.