Arnica cernua
Serpentine arnica, serpentine arnica, serpentine arnica
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Arnica cernua (Serpentine arnica) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by specialized serpentine habitat and nodding buds are key.
Serpentine arnica is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges on serpentine soils and conifer forests at elevations of 500 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow ray flowers with disk florets in heads often nodding before blooming, typically 1 to 4 heads per plant. Growing 10 to 30 centimeters tall with generally unbranched stems, it has a distinctive growth pattern with 3 to 4 pairs of widely spaced cauline leaves. Its leaves are thick and often fleshy, ranging from obovate to heart-shaped, with a distinctive reddish tinge and nearly entire margins. The fruit is 6 to 8 millimeters long, covered with forked hairs and topped with a short white, slightly plumose pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; specialized serpentine habitat and nodding buds are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine soils, conifer forest
Elevation: 500-1500 m
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Arnica cernua blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Senecio: Senecio has alternate leaves; Arnica leaves opposite in pairs - check leaf arrangement first; vs Wyethia: Wyethia has large basal leaves and many-ranked bracts; Arnica stem leaves opposite, bracts in 2 series; vs Packera: Packera has alternate leaves; Arnica leaves opposite in pairs up stem; vs Kyhosia: Kyhosia has alternate leaves; Arnica leaves opposite - check where leaves attach to stem; vs Helianthella: Helianthella leaves mostly alternate; Arnica leaves strictly opposite in pairs
Frequently asked questions
Is Arnica cernua native to California?
Yes. Arnica cernua is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arnica cernua bloom?
Arnica cernua blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Arnica cernua belong to?
Arnica cernua is in the Asteraceae family, genus Arnica.
Is Arnica cernua rare or endangered?
Arnica cernua carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Arnica cernua grow in?
Arnica cernua grows in Serpentine soils, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.