Common Name: Heartleaf Arnica

General Information

Arnica cordifolia is a herbaceous perennial plant producing one or more, usually unbranched stems 10 - 40cm tall, exceptionally to 70cm from long, slender, creeping rhizomes. The plant can spread to form large colonies[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - Yukon to Ontario, south to California, New Mexico, South Dakota and Michigan

Habitat

Woodlands in foothills up to high elevations in mountains[]. Conifer forests to subalpine meadows; at elevations from 500 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in sun and in partial shade[]. Prefers a moist, well-drained humus rich soil, preferably lime-free[]. Prefers a mixture of sand, loam and peat[]. In the wild the plant often inhabits exposed, moderately dry mineral soils, but occurs on a variety of soil types[].
The life-span of a plant is estimated at 12 years[].
Plant roots will usually survive a forest fire and then resprout[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is antiecchymotic, antiphlogistic, nervine, sternutatory and vulnerary[]. When applied intravenously or orally it causes a rise in body temperature[].

All parts of the plant may be used[], but the flowers are used in preference to the root[, ]. They have a discutient property and a tincture is used as an external application to swellings, sprains, bruises and wounds[, ]. A salve applied to cuts helps to keep down infections[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is often a dominant ground cover plant in forests within its native range, and can be used as such in woodland gardens[, ].

Other Uses

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

Propagation

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