Arnica montana aka European Arnica
Taxonomy
Arnica montana, also known as wolf's bane, leopard's bane, mountain tobacco, and mountain arnica, is a moderately toxic European flowering plant in the sunflower family. It is noted for its large yellow flower head and is a perennial herb that grows up to 2 feet tall with basal downy leaves. Arnica montana is used as an herbal medicine for analgesic and anti-inflammatory purposes, but there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence for such effects, and it is toxic when taken internally or applied to injured skin. The names "wolf's bane" and "leopard's bane" are also used for another plant, aconitum, which is extremely poisonous. This plant tolerates most soils if they are well-drained in full sun to partial shade but prefers slightly alkaline moist sandy loams.
Common names
European Arnica, Arnica, Mountain TobaccoHow to care for European Arnica
Difficulty
Caring for European Arnica is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
Water
European Arnica should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
European Arnica loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the European Arnica prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for European Arnica to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
Region of origin
European Arnica’s native range is C. Europe.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Arnica Genus
Arnica griscomii Snow Arnica
Arnica mollis Hairy Arnica
Arnica montana European Arnica
Arnica cordifolia Heart Leaf Arnica
Arnica angustifolia alpina
Arnica chamissonis Leafy Arnica
Arnica angustifolia Arctic Arnica
Arnica latifolia Arnica
Arnica discoidea Rayless Arnica
