Arnica cordifolia
| Arnica cordifolia | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 2 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Arnica cordifolia (common name: heartleaf arnica)
Propagation: Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame[1]. 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[1].
Cultivation: Prefers a moist, well-drained humus rich soil, preferably lime-free[1]. Prefers a mixture of sand, loam and peat[2].
Range: Western N. America - Alaska to New Mexico.
Habitat: Woodlands in foothills up to high elevations in mountains[3].
Medicinal: The whole plant is antiecchymotic, antiphlogistic, nervine, sternutatory and vulnerary[4]. When applied intravenously or orally it causes a rise in body temperature[5].
All parts of the plant may be used[5], but the flowers are used in preference to the root[6][5]. They have a discutient property and a tincture is used as an external application to swellings, sprains, bruises and wounds[6][7]. A salve applied to cuts helps to keep down infections[5].
Usage: This plant is used as a hair conditioner[4]. No further details are given.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The whole plant is toxic and should only be used for external applications to unbroken skin[4].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Davis, Ray and Frank Craighead. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. The Riverside Press, 1963.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.