Arnica mollis | |
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Arnica mollis in Henry M. Jackson Wilderness | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Arnica |
Species: | A. mollis
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Binomial name | |
Arnica mollis | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Synonymy
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Arnica mollis is a North American species of arnica in the sunflower family, known by the common name soft arnica, [2]: 113 or hairy arnica. [3] It is native to Canada ( British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and all 3 Arctic territories) [4] and the United States ( Alaska and the western mountains as far south as San Bernardino County, California [5] and Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. There are also isolated populations in the White Mountains of Coos County, New Hampshire. [6] The species grows in subalpine mountain habitat such as meadows and streambanks. [3]
Arnica mollis is a perennial herb producing one or more hairy, glandular, mostly naked stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall. There are 3 to 5 pairs of leaves along mainly the lower half of the stem, each oblong in shape and 4 to 20 centimeters in length. [3]
The inflorescence holds one to a few daisylike flower heads with centers of yellow disc florets and fringes of yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene with a brownish pappus. [3]
"Mollis" means "soft", referring to the soft hairs on the leaves. [2]: 113