Arnica parryi
Asteraceae
Nodding Arnica
Erect, usually single, unbranched stem, somewhat hairy at base. Basal leaves oval, sessile. Stem leaves lance- to egg-shaped, in 3–4 pairs; lower leaves 2–8 in. long with short stalks; upper leaf pairs sessile, smaller. Flower heads 3–10, nodding while in bud, later becoming erect on long glandular stalks; yellow disk flowers in a bell-shaped cup formed by green bracts. Usually no ray flowers, but 1/3 in. long if present. Grows in dry woods, open meadows, conifer forests, at mid to high elevations. Arnica discoidea, another rayless species, is glandular, with soft-hairy disk flowers; grows in chaparral and low woodlands in southern part of our region.
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Flowering Time: Late Summer
- Flower Form: Senecio Tribe
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 12–20 inches
- Habitat: Alpine, East-side Forest, Meadow, Subalpine, West-side Forest
- Found In: Crater Lake NP, Mt. Rainier NP, N Cascades NP, Olympic NP, Steens, Wallowas
- Native: Yes
