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Chamisso arnica

Scientific Name: Arnica chamissonis ssp. foliosa var. andina

Family: Asteraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Arnica chamissonis

Also known as Chamisso arnica, meadow arnica, leafy arnica, or arnica de Chamisso, Arnica chamissonis is a perennial, herbaceous plant belonging to the sunflower family.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions the presence of rhizomes, which are underground stems. Ingestion of rhizomes might pose a risk to pets.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is sometimes referred to as "leafy leopardbane," which might be of interest to children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Arnica chamissonis Less.
  • Family: Asteraceae (Aster or Sunflower Family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Arnica bernardina Greene
    • A. chamissonis var. bernardina (Greene) Jepson ex Maguire
  • Subspecies:
    • Arnica chamissonis Less. ssp. chamissonis var. interior Maguire
    • Arnica chamissonis Less. ssp. foliosa (Nutt.) Maguire

Distribution and Habitat

  • Arnica chamissonis is native to California and found elsewhere in North America.
  • Specifically, it grows along meadows and creeks in the Southern California Mountains, through the Sierras to Alaska, and across surrounding regions.
  • Its primary distribution is in the USA, west of the Rockies, including Alaska.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a perennial wildflower with single stems arising 20-100 cm high from long, nearly naked rhizomes.
  • The plant features herbage on both the stems and leaves.
  • Arnica chamissonis ssp. foliosa is a single-stemmed perennial typically 8-24 inches tall with 5-10 pairs of heart-shaped lower leaves, bearing 1-3 flowers.
  • It has lance-shaped, hairy, grey-green leaves.
  • It produces yellow flower heads in summer.

Ecological Role

  • The plant is considered a dicot.

Quirky Facts

  • While Arnica montana is a well-known medical plant in Europe, it can be difficult to grow in gardens, especially in soil that isn't free of lime. In comparison, Arnica chamissonis, found in North America, shares some similarities with A. montana and can be used similarly.
  • The French vernacular name for this plant is "Arnica de Chamisso."

Related Species

  • It is very similar to Arnica montana, but A. chamissonis is found in the United States and surrounding regions, while A. montana is found in Europe.

Further Information

  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
  • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
  • Discover Life
  • Dave's Garden