Asteraceae

Arnica parryi

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
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 12--20 inches
• Habitat: East-Side Forest, West-Side Forest, Meadow, Alpine, Subalpine
• Found In: Wallowas, Steens, N Cascades Np, Crater Lake Np, Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np
• Native: Yes