Arnica chamissonis
Chamisso arnica
(c) H. Zell, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Arnica chamissonis (Chamisso arnica) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by tall stature, multiple heads, and branched growth.
Chamisso arnica is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra Nevada, Warner Mountains, northern eastern Sierra Nevada, and White and Inyo Mountains in damp meadows, rocky places, and conifer forest at elevations of 1,800 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 10 to 20 millimeters long with distinctive radiate heads. Growing with a single stem 20 to 80 centimeters tall that branches toward the top and is moderately hairy, especially with glandular hairs in the upper portions. Its cauline leaves occur in 4 to 10 pairs, sessile or short-petioled, with oblanceolate blades 5 to 20 centimeters long that are nearly entire. The fruit is 3 to 8 millimeters long with a short, dirty white to straw-colored pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; tall stature, multiple heads, and branched growth are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Damp meadows, rocky places, conifer forest
Elevation: 1800-3500 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, New Mexico
Bloom period
Arnica chamissonis blooms Jul-Aug.
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 chamissonis native to California?
Yes. Arnica chamissonis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arnica chamissonis bloom?
Arnica chamissonis blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Arnica chamissonis belong to?
Arnica chamissonis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Arnica.
What habitat does Arnica chamissonis grow in?
Arnica chamissonis grows in Damp meadows, rocky places, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.