Arnica latifolia
Broadleaf arnica
(c) Caleb Catto, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Arnica latifolia (Broadleaf arnica) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by broad sessile middle leaves.
Broadleaf arnica is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and central Sierra Nevada Mountains in meadows and open conifer forests at elevations of 1,800 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 10 to 30 millimeters long in heads with 8 to 15 rays. Growing 1 to 5 decimeters tall with 1 to several unbranched stems emerging from a scaly caudex and long rhizomes, it develops an uneven soft-hairy and glandular appearance. Its leaves form basal rosettes and 2 to 4 pairs of cauline leaves, with middle leaves the largest, lance-elliptic to ovate, 2 to 10 centimeters long and generally toothed. The fruit is 5 to 9 millimeters long, covered in short or forked hairs, with a white short-barbed pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; broad sessile middle leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, open conifer forest to subalpine meadows
Elevation: 1800-2400 m
Outside California: to Alaska, Colorado
Bloom period
Arnica latifolia 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 latifolia native to California?
Yes. Arnica latifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arnica latifolia bloom?
Arnica latifolia blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Arnica latifolia belong to?
Arnica latifolia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Arnica.
What habitat does Arnica latifolia grow in?
Arnica latifolia grows in Meadows, open conifer forest to subalpine meadows.
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.