# heartleaf arnica (*Arnica cordifolia*) Heartleaf arnica is a beautiful flower with heart-shaped leaves. It grows in the wild and has bright yellow petals that attract butterflies and bees. This flower loves to grow in shady places, making it special in the forest. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Forests ![heartleaf arnica](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Arnica_cordifolia_4631.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arnica_cordifolia_4631.JPG) ## Appearance The heartleaf arnica is a striking plant with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that can grow up to 7 cm wide. Its most distinctive feature is its soft, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves that grow mostly near the base. The stems are usually reddish or purplish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Arnica ## Interesting facts - Ancient people used arnica externally for bruises and sprains! - Heartleaf arnica prefers cool mountain air and shady forest floors. - Its bright yellow flowers belong to the same plant family as sunflowers. - Some people believe seeing arnica flowers means spring is truly here. ## Special abilities - **Underground Traveler:** Heartleaf arnica can spread using underground stems called rhizomes, helping it form new plants and survive harsh winters. - **Sun Tracker:** Heartleaf arnica's flowers can slowly turn to face the sun throughout the day, helping them capture more energy. - **Chemical Defense:** Heartleaf arnica produces a special compound called helenalin that can deter animals from eating it, protecting its leaves and flowers. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-60 cm - **Spread:** 20-40 cm - **Flower Size:** 4-7 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to mid-summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Two-form Bumblebee (*Bombus bifarius*) — Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Hoary Marmot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hoary-marmot) (*Marmota caligata*) — May occasionally graze on the leaves and flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Browses on the foliage, though typically not a primary food source. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or eat wild flowers without asking an adult first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify heartleaf arnica? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is heartleaf arnica? 30-60 cm ### How wide does heartleaf arnica spread? 20-40 cm ### How big are the flowers on heartleaf arnica? 4-7 cm ### When does heartleaf arnica bloom? Late spring to mid-summer ### Is heartleaf arnica edible? No ### Is heartleaf arnica toxic? Mild ### What is heartleaf arnica's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Jackson Lake Lodge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jackson-lake-lodge) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Valhalla Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/valhalla-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [AMK Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/amk-ranch) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Geraldine Lucas Homestead-Fabian Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/geraldine-lucas-homestead-fabian-place-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Jenny Lake Boat Concession Facilities](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jenny-lake-boat-concession-facilities) — Wyoming, US · Historic District [View all places to see heartleaf arnica](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/heartleaf-arnica) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Heartleaf Arnica: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/heartleaf-arnica)