Arnica mollis
Hairy arnica, Hairy Arnica
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Arnica mollis (Hairy arnica) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by highest ray count and brown pappus.
Hairy arnica is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Warner Mountains, northern eastern Sierra Nevada, and White and Inyo Mountains in subalpine meadows and streambanks at elevations of 2,500 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 15 to 30 millimeters long with radiate heads arranged in small clusters of 1 to 3. Growing 15 to 70 centimeters tall with 1 to several simple or few-branched stems emerging from a short rhizome, it has a distinctively hairy or glandular lower stem. Its cauline leaves are 3 to 5 pairs, with the lowest leaves typically largest, ranging from 4 to 20 centimeters long and having oblanceolate to obovate blades that may be entire or unevenly toothed. The fruit is 4 to 8 millimeters long, covered in forked hairs and typically glandular with a plumose, yellowish-brown pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; highest ray count and brown pappus are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, streambanks in subalpine zone
Elevation: 2500-3500 m
Outside California: to Washington, western Canada, Montana, Colorado
Bloom period
Arnica mollis blooms Jul-Sep.
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 mollis native to California?
Yes. Arnica mollis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arnica mollis bloom?
Arnica mollis blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Arnica mollis belong to?
Arnica mollis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Arnica.
What habitat does Arnica mollis grow in?
Arnica mollis grows in Meadows, streambanks in subalpine zone.
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.