Arnica sororia

Twin Arnica

Asteraceae

Description

Height 10-50 cm

Width 1-8 cm

Leaves 1-14 cm

Flowers 1-3 cm

Arnica sororia is a North American species of arnica commonly known as the twin arnica. Arnica sororia is a semi fragrant, perennial herb that grows off rhizomes which produce a hairy stem that branches with a yellow daisy-like flower at the top of the stems. The leaves of the arnica are lance-shaped to oblong with three veins that can be basal or arranged oppositely on the stem spaced far apart. They typically flower between May- Aug and die back after the first frost.

Photo taken by Calvin De Jong

Distribution and habitat

Arnica sororia can be found throughout western North America growing in grasslands, open hillsides, and roadsides, with dry rocky with no lime, acidic loam soils, it can also be found growing with sagebrush at mid-elevations. Some of the local areas I have found arnica sororia in BC are throughout the Okanagan areas along logging roads and open hillsides, wallows, steens, and meadows.

Elevation 800-3000 m

Soil dry rocky, sandy loam soils

Ph 5-6.5

Zones 4-9

Sun Full sun

Uses & Benefits

The flower parts of the plant have been used in medicine since the 1500s. Arnica is most commonly used to treat pain caused by osteoarthritis, sore throat, and surgery. Arnica can also be used for bleeding, bruising, swelling after surgery, and vision problems due to diabetes.

Parts used:

Flowers

One can also use arnica to:

Bruising

Inflammation

Relive pain

Ways to use arnica:

Salves
Creams
Tincture
Oils
Polutice

Warning arnica should never be taken internally!

Calvin De Jong

Content Writer/Photographer

I am a naturalist from the Okanagan. My passions are taken photos of nature and foraging all its wonders.