Common name:
Leafy arnica
Family:
Scientific name:
Arnica chamissonis
Main flower color:
Range:
Some areas of all the Western states between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean
Height:
Up to 40 inches
Habitat:
Moist locations in the mountains, from foothills to the subalpine zone
Leaves:
Opposite, lanceolate, up to 9 inches long, usually lightly toothed
Season:
June to August
Arnica chamissonis is one of many similar looking, sunflower-type plants that inhabit the western mountains. The brownish-yellow disc florets are more numerous than many other species, comprising up to half the width (one inch) of the flower head; they are surrounded by 10 to 16 yellow ray florets which have a few faint lengthwise grooves. Stems are single (branching only near the tip), hairy and quite leafy. The phyllaries on the involucres below each flower are arranged in two rows and are topped by small clusters of white hairs. The plant is one of the tallest members of this genus, growing to 3 feet or more.
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