Arnica cordifolia - Heartleaf Arnica

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America - Alaska to New Mexico.

Arnica cordifolia (Heartleaf Arnica) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 2.
Heartleaf Arnica will flower in January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Heartleaf Arnica will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
Heartleaf Arnica prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Heartleaf Arnica can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woodlands in foothills up to high elevations in mountains[60].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist, well-drained humus rich soil, preferably lime-free[200]. Prefers a mixture of sand, loam and peat[1].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant is antiecchymotic, antiphlogistic, nervine, sternutatory and vulnerary[172]. When applied intravenously or orally it causes a rise in body temperature[212]. All parts of the plant may be used[212], but the flowers are used in preference to the root[207, 212]. They have a discutient property and a tincture is used as an external application to swellings, sprains, bruises and wounds[207, 257]. A salve applied to cuts helps to keep down infections[212].

• Antiecchymotic - Prevents or treats bruising.
• Antiphlogistic - Reduces inflammation.
• Nervine - Stimulates and calms the nerves.
• Salve - Soothes and heals damaged skin.
• Sternutatory - Promotes sneezing and nasal discharges.
• Vulnerary - Promotes the healing of wounds.

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame[200]. Only just cover the seed and make sure that the compost does not dry out. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring[200].

Known Hazards

The whole plant is toxic and should only be used for external applications to unbroken skin[172].

Other Uses

This plant is used as a hair conditioner[172]. No further details are given.

• Hair - Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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