This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Arnica angustifolia alpina
  • Mountain Tobacco

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Arnica angustifolia alpina has 0 material uses listed
Arnica angustifolia alpina has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Arnica angustifolia alpina.

Material uses

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

Unknown part

Hair care

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The whole flowering plant is antiecchymotic, antiphlogistic, nervine, sternutatory and vulnerary[1].

This species is closely related to A. montana and is included in that species by some botanists. The medicinal uses of that plant are as follows:-

Arnica has a long history of herbal use, especially as an external treatment for bruises and sprains[2][3] - it is an ingredient of a number of proprietary preparations[3]. Internally, it has been used in the treatment of heart complaints and as a booster for the immune system[3]. Arnica increases local blood supply and accelerates healing, it is anti-inflammatory and increases the rate of absorption of internal bleeding[4]. Generally the plant is nowadays only recommended for internal use as a homeopathic medicine, principally for treating shock, injury and pain[4]. If used as a decoction or tincture it stimulates the circulation and is valuable in the treatment of angina and a weak or failing heart, but it can be toxic even at quite low doses and so is rarely used this way[4]. The flowers are the part most commonly used[5][2], they are harvested when fully open and dried - the receptacles are sometimes removed since these are liable to be attacked by insects[5]. The root is also used, it is harvested after the leaves have died down in the autumn and dried for later use[5]. The whole plant is antiecchymotic, antiphlogistic, nervine, sternutatory, vulnerary[5][6][7][8][9]. Although a very valuable remedy, it should be used with caution. It has been known to cause contact dermatitis when used externally and collapse when taken internally[3]. Only take it internally under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The freshly crushed flowers cause sneezing if inhaled[2]. The leaves have also been smoked as a tobacco[2], though it is unclear whether this was for medicinal reasons

The whole plant, harvested when in flower, is used in homeopathic remedies[2]. It is especially useful in the treatment of traumatic injuries, sores and bruises[2]. The homeopathic dose has also been used effectively in the treatment of epilepsy and seasickness, and it might be of use as a hair growth stimulant[10].

Unknown part

Antiecchymotic
Antiphlogistic
Nervine
Sternutatory
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame[11]. 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[11].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Arnica angustifolia alpina. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moist, well-drained humus rich soil, preferably lime-free[11]. This species is more lime tolerant than other members of the genus[11]. Prefers a mixture of sand, loam and peat[12]. Closely related to A. montana[10].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Arnica angustifolia alpina. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Arnica angustifolia alpina.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Arnica angustifolia alpina
Genus
Arnica
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Material uses & Functions
[1]
Botanic
[13][11]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.5 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. ISBN 0-333-55581-3 (1990-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    12. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    13. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)


    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Arnica_angustifolia_alpina&oldid=75227"
    Facts about "Arnica angustifolia alpina"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCompositae +
    Belongs to genusArnica +
    Has common nameMountain Tobacco +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useHair care +
    Has mature height0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiecchymotic +, Antiphlogistic +, Nervine +, Sternutatory + and Vulnerary +
    Has search namearnica angustifolia alpina + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameArnica angustifolia alpina +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +