Arnica chamissonis subspecies foliosa (Chamisso's Arnica)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Montane, subalpine. Moist meadows and openings. Summer.
Above and left: Lizard Head Pass Meadow, August 11, 2021.

Although Arnica chamissonis is widespread through the western U.S., it is uncommon in the Colorado area of the Four Corners region, a bit more common in New Mexico and Utah, and fairly common in Apache County, Arizona. In our area it is most often found from about 7,600' to 9,000', but the plants on this page were found at 10,200'.

Arnica chamissonis typically grows from one to two feet tall with up to 9 flower heads. Leaves are in 5-9 pairs, variously hairy, with basal leaves usually withered by flowering time ("anthesis").

Linnaeus named this genus in 1753 and A. chamissonis was named by Christian Lessing in 1831 from a collection made by Ludolf Chamisso during his trip three year trip around the world on the Russian exploring ship, Rurik, in 1816 in Unalaska. Chamisso was a German writer and naturalist. (Click to read more about Ludolf Chamisso).

The word "Arnica" is considered by most botanical etymologists to be of unknown origin, but "arn" is Greek for "lamb" so perhaps the meaning is, "like lamb's skin," referring to the downy soft leaves of some Arnica.

Arnica chamissonis subspecies foliosa (Chamisso's Arnica)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Montane, subalpine. Moist meadows and openings. Summer.
Lizard Head Pass Meadow, August 11, 2021.

Arnica chamissonis is usually hairy over much of its surface. Obtuse phyllaries are hairy and at their tips (or nearby) there is a tangle of silky hairs.

Pappus hairs, somewhat visible in the middle faded flower head in the photograph at left, are barbed bristles, and range from most often straw-colored to tawny to white (as in the plants shown on this page).

Arnica chamissonis subspecies foliosa (Chamisso's Arnica)
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

Montane, subalpine. Moist meadows and openings. Summer.
Lizard Head Pass Meadow, August 11, 2021.

As one looks more and more carefully, more and more details appear. Using a 10x hand lens not only shows details which separate one species from another, but also shows beauty not revealed by the unaided human eye.