Common Name:

General Information

Arnica ovata is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing one or more unbranched or lightly branched stems 10 - 50cm tall. The plant spreads at the roots to form a clump of growth[].
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

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Range

Western N. America - Alaska to Alberta, south to California and Colorado

Habitat

Rocky places from moderate to high elevations in mountains[]. Moist meadows and conifer forests, stream banks, late snow-melt areas, montane to subalpine; at elevations from 200 - 3,600 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Apomictic, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in sun or partial shade. Prefers a moist, well-drained humus rich soil, preferably lime-free. Prefers a mixture of sand, loam and peat.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant, but especially the flowers and the root,is antiecchymotic, antiphlogistic, nervine, sternutatory and vulnerary[].

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[].