Arnica nevadensis
Sierra arnica, Sierra Arnica
(c) Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Arnica nevadensis (Sierra arnica) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by few leaf pairs and rounded leaf bases distinguish from cordifolia.
Sierra arnica is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, California Ranges, and Sierra Nevada Mountains in conifer forests and meadows at elevations of 1,500 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 10 to 20 millimeters long with distinctive radiate heads. Growing with stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it has 1 to several loose, generally unbranched stems with short or long hairs. Its basal and cauline leaves are elliptic to widely ovate, 3 to 8 centimeters long, with rounded bases and nearly entire margins. The plant emerges from a long, scaly rhizome and produces heads with glandular, stalked phyllaries that are often long-hairy at the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; few leaf pairs and rounded leaf bases distinguish from cordifolia
Habitat and range
Habitat: Conifer forest, meadows
Elevation: 1500-3000 m
Outside California: to Washington, Nevada
Bloom period
Arnica nevadensis 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 nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Arnica nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arnica nevadensis bloom?
Arnica nevadensis blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Arnica nevadensis belong to?
Arnica nevadensis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Arnica.
What habitat does Arnica nevadensis grow in?
Arnica nevadensis grows in Conifer forest, 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.