Chamisso arnica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chamisso arnica |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Arnica
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| Species: |
chamissonis
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| Synonyms | |
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Synonymy
Arnica bernardina Greene
Arnica bruceae Rydb. Arnica cana Greene Arnica celsa A.Nelson Arnica columbiana Greene Dec 1900 not A.Nelson Sept 1900 Arnica exigua A.Nelson Arnica foliosa Nutt. Arnica greenei A.Nelson Arnica incana (A.Gray) Greene 1900 not Pers. 1807 Arnica kodiakensis Rydb. Arnica lanulosa Greene Arnica macilenta Greene Arnica maguirei A.Nelson Arnica ocreata A.Nelson Arnica rhizomata A.Nelson Arnica rubricaulis Greene Arnica stricta A.Nelson Arnica tomentulosa Rydb. |
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Arnica chamissonis, also known as the Chamisso arnica, is a type of plant found in North America. It belongs to the sunflower family, just like sunflowers! This plant looks a lot like another plant called Arnica montana. The main difference is that Arnica chamissonis grows naturally in North America and has spread to parts of Europe. A. montana is originally from Europe.
Contents
Where Chamisso Arnica Grows
The Chamisso arnica is found all over western North America. This includes Alaska and most of Canada, like Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
Its Favorite Places to Live
This plant is a perennial, which means it lives for more than two years. It can handle cold temperatures, even down to about -36 degrees Celsius (-33 degrees Fahrenheit).
Arnica chamissonis likes soils that are not too fine or too coarse. It prefers soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.2. The pH level tells us how acidic or basic the soil is.
This plant needs a good amount of water. It needs between 36 and 61 centimeters (14 to 24 inches) of rain each year. It usually grows in wet meadows and conifer forests. You can often find it in mountain areas, from sea level up to about 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) high.
Growing Chamisso Arnica at Home
It's fairly easy to grow Chamisso arnica in a home garden. You can find its seeds easily. This plant likes to be in full sunlight. It also prefers the soil temperature to be between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius (65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit).
What Chamisso Arnica Looks Like
The Chamisso arnica has bright yellow flowers. Its leaves are green and have a medium texture. The leaves usually grow in groups of 4 to 10 pairs along the stem.
Underground Growth
When the plant produces seeds, they are brown. It grows most actively during the spring and summer. This plant has a special way of growing called "rhizomatous" growth. This means it has underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes have small, fiber-like roots growing from them. This helps the plant spread out.
The Chamisso arnica grows at a moderate speed. When it's fully grown, it can reach a height of about 76 centimeters (2.5 feet).
How Chamisso Arnica Reproduces and Spreads
The Chamisso arnica blooms throughout the summer months. Each pound of seeds contains about 400,000 tiny seeds!
Spreading and Growing New Plants
New plants from seeds have a medium "seedling vigor." This means a good percentage of the young plants are expected to survive. The plant also has a moderate "vegetative spread rate." This refers to how quickly the plant can spread across an area using its rhizomes.
You can grow A. chamissonis in a container. You can start new plants from seeds or by using small pieces of the plant called sprigs.
Important Note About the Plant
Both A. montana and A. chamissonis contain natural compounds that can be strong. Because of these compounds, it's important not to eat these plants.
Naming the Plant
The species Arnica chamissonis is named after a German poet and botanist. His name was Adelbert von Chamisso, and he lived from 1781 to 1838.
See also
In Spanish: Árnica americana para niños
