Arnica ovata
Sticky leaf arnica
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Arnica ovata (Sticky leaf arnica) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by deltate to ovate leaf shape is distinctive.
Sticky leaf arnica is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range Highlands, and Sierra Nevada Highlands in grassy or rocky conifer forest sites at elevations of 1,800 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 15 to 20 millimeters long with radiate heads. Growing 1 to 5 decimeters tall with 1 to several unbranched stems from a short, freely rooting rhizome, it develops a distinctive glandular-hairy texture. Its cauline leaves occur in 2 to 3 pairs, with middle leaves 4 to 8 centimeters long, elliptic to widely deltate in shape and irregularly toothed. The fruit is 5 to 7 millimeters long, sparsely covered in soft hairs with a straw-colored to brownish pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; deltate to ovate leaf shape is distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Grassy or wet, rocky sites, conifer forest
Elevation: 1800-3600 m
California counties: Nevada, Alpine, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Fresno, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Madera, Del Norte, Mono, Trinity, Shasta, Placer, Inyo
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana, Colorado
Bloom period
Arnica ovata 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 ovata native to California?
Yes. Arnica ovata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Arnica ovata bloom?
Arnica ovata blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Arnica ovata grow?
Arnica ovata occurs in Nevada, Alpine, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Fresno, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Madera and other counties, at elevations of 1800-3600 m.
What plant family does Arnica ovata belong to?
Arnica ovata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Arnica.
What habitat does Arnica ovata grow in?
Arnica ovata grows in Uncommon. Grassy or wet, rocky sites, 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.