Arnica L.

Greek arnakis — lambskin, from the texture of the leaves

Perennial herbs with rhizomes. Stems erect or ascending. Leaves mainly basal, with a few along lower stems, usually opposite, rarely alternate, simple. Capitula radiate or diskoid, terminal, solitary or in clusters, with long stalks. Involucral bracts in 1 or 2 rows, overlapping, nearly equal. Receptacle hairy, convex. Ray florets female, yellow or orange. Disk florets bisexual, yellow or orange. Achenes cylindrical, 5- to 10-ribbed. Pappus of many unequal, barbed bristles.

Many very hairy, crowded basal leaves and a few opposite stem leaves. Similarly coloured ray and disk florets.

About 30 species from Europe, Asia and N America.

Source: Jeanes, J. (2002). Asteraceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

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kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Asteranae
order      Asterales
family       Asteraceae
Higher taxa
Subordinate taxa
species         Arnica montana L.