Practical
Plants

Arnica diversifolia

a perennial member of the Arnica genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Arnica
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Apomyctic, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Apomyctic, Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is toxic and should only be used for external applications to unbroken skin[1].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Antiecchymotic, antiphlogistic, nervine, sternutatory, vulnerary[1].

Product or use
Antiecchymotic
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Sternutatory
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This plant is used as a hair conditioner[1]. No further details are given.

Product or use
Hair care

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Alaska to California.
Habitat
Rocky places from moderate to high elevations in mountains[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame[2]. Only just cover the seed and make sure that the compost does not dry out. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring[2].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. This is a convenient name for a complex of apparent hybrids involving A. mollis or A. amplexicaulis with A. cordifolia or A. latifolia[3]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a moist, well-drained humus rich soil, preferably lime-free. Prefers a mixture of sand, loam and peat.

References

  1. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  3. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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