Description. Arnica is a rhizomous perennial that is common to open woodlands in our region. It is easily confused with Balsamroot. Balsamroot blooms earlier in the season, prefers to live more out in the open and will be found with a bit of room around each plant. Arnica will be found shoulder-to-shoulder in ever-widening clumps, as can be seen in the picture.

Historical plant use. Arnica was mashed and applied as a poultice to bruises, cuts and swellings. The salve helped to reduce infections. The flowers were preferred over the roots.

Unusual aspects of Arnica. The plant reproduces through either rhizomous spreading or through unfertilized seeds, resulting with the offspring being genetically identical. The whole plant is poisonous.