Leopard's-Bane Arnica montana
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AR-nih-kah mon-TAY-nah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Leopard's-bane is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae (daisy) family native to Europe. Its native habitat includes grasslands, shrub lands, and alpine mountain environments. It can also be found in meadows, dry pine forests, open forests, and pastures.
It grows .5 to 2 feet tall with basal downy leaves and flowers that occur May to August. The yellow-orange ray flowers surround the yellow disc florets are followed by achenes. The flowers form as a solitary bloom at the top of each stem. In windy locations, they may need to be staked for additional support. Cutting the stem back before the plant flowers will keep the stems short, as well as produce a secondary bloom. Divide during the spring or fall every few years to keep this plant at its best. Their roots can spread, taking over more space than intended. Maintain this plant to avoid invading other portions of your garden.
It tolerates most soils if they are lime free, and a well-drained location in full sun to partial shade, but prefers slightly alkaline moist sandy loam.
This plant is toxic, however, has been listed as endangered in many locations due to its collection for medicinal uses.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Weedy tendencies.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Arnica Acaulis
- Arnica Acaulis
- Arnica Acaulis
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Arnica Acaulis
- Arnica Acaulis
- Arnica Acaulis
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Arnica
- Species:
- montana
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Dried flower heads have been used in herbal medicine for centuries.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees, flies, moths and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Edibility:
- Not edible, poisonous.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are a bristly, hairy yellow pappus, a modified calyx.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are yellow-orange rays surrounding yellow disc florets in late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- While basal leaves are clustered, the stem leaves are opposite and simple. The upper side of the leaves are hairy and have longitudinal veins.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are erect hairy and carry a single flower.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Children
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous through dermatitis and ingestion. Skin irritation upon contact; after ingestion, heart palpitation, vomiting, drowsiness, shortness of breath, and coma in children.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Helenalin and its esters
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Roots
