[Arnicas and Leopardbanes: The Genus Arnica in Mt. Adams Country]

Longleaf Arnica, Seep Spring Arnica, Spearleaf Arnica, Spear-leaf Arnica

Arnica longifolia

Synonym: Arnica longifolia ssp. myriadenia

Longleaf Arnica, Seep Spring Arnica, Spearleaf Arnica, Spear-leaf Arnica, Spear-leaf Leopardbane: Arnica longifolia (Synonyms: Arnica longifolia ssp. myriadenia, Arnica myriadenia)

A nice specimen of longleaf arnica found along the South Loop Road at a point where snow lies late into the summer about one mile downhill from the East Rim Viewpoint, Steens Mountain, Harney County, Oregon...........August 31, 2011.

Longleaf Arnica, Seep Spring Arnica, Spearleaf Arnica, Spear-leaf Arnica: Arnica longifolia (Synonym: Arnica longifolia ssp. myriadeniaLongleaf arnica found along the Wildhorse Trail at the Steens Mt., southeastern Oregon...........July 16, 2002.

Characteristics:

Longleaf Arnica is an attractive perennial wildflower often found in large clumps which are the result of a much branched system of rhizomes. The numerous stems contain mostly 5-7 opposite pairs of leaves and range from 30-60 cm high. The lower leaves often begin whithering by bloom tim, and the mid and upper leaves are often quite large, measuting from 5-12 cm long and from 1-2 cm wide. Individual leaves are narrowly lanceolate or lance-elliptic in shape, tapering gradually to an acute tip. The margins are mostly entire or occasionally slightly toothed. The herbage is somewhat rough and occasionally sticky.

The flower heads are several to many, with the involucres from 7-10 mm high. The 13-21 bracts are lanceolate in shape and densely glandular hairy with pointed tips. The 8-13 rays are yellowish and 1-2 cm long, surrounding the central disk (See photo above.).


Habitat:

Longleaf Arnica may be found about seeps and springs as well as on moist cliffs and streambanks at middle and upper elevations in the mountains. Its elevation range is 2100-3250 meters.


Range:

Longleaf Arnica may be found from the Washington Cascades south to the Sweetwater and White Mts. of California and east to Montana, southwestern Alberta, and Colorado and central and southwestern Utah.


Longleaf Arnica, Seep Spring Arnica, Spearleaf Arnica, Spear-leaf Arnica: Arnica longifolia (Synonym: Arnica longifolia ssp. myriadenia

A close-up of the involucres of longleaf arnica found along the Wildhorse Trail at the Steens Mt., southeastern Oregon........July 16, 2002.

Flower head of Longleaf Arnica, Seep Spring Arnica, Spearleaf Arnica, Spear-leaf Arnica: Arnica longifolia (Synonym: Arnica longifolia ssp. myriadenia

A close-up of the flower head of longleaf arnica found along the Wildhorse Trail at the Steens Mt., southeastern Oregon...........July 16, 2002.

Leafy stem of Longleaf Arnica, Seep Spring Arnica, Spearleaf Arnica, Spear-leaf Arnica: Arnica longifolia (Synonym: Arnica longifolia ssp. myriadenia

Longleaf arnica found along the Wildhorse Trail at the Steens Mt., southeastern Oregon...........July 16, 2002. Note the numerous pairs of stem leaves.

Paul Slichter