Arnica mollis is a North American species of arnica in the sunflower family, known by the common name soft arnica,[1] or hairy arnica. It is native to Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and all 3 Arctic territories)[2] and the United States (Alaska and the western mountains as far south as San Bernardino County, California[3] and Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. There are also isolated populations in the White Mountains of Coos County, New Hampshire.[4] The species grows in subalpine mountain habitat such as meadows and streambanks.[5]
Arnica mollis is a perennial herb producing one or more hairy, glandular, mostly naked stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall. There are 3 to 5 pairs of leaves along mainly the lower half of the stem, each oblong in shape and 4 to 20 centimeters in length.[5]
The inflorescence holds one to a few daisylike flower heads with centers of yellow disc florets and fringes of yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene with a brownish pappus.[5]
"Mollis" means "soft", referring to the soft hairs on the leaves.[1]
