Broadleaf arnica, a perennial herb from 8 to 18 inches tall, is 

 one of the most abundant and widespread of the western arnicas. 

 The species is distributed from. Alaska and Alberta to Oregon, 

 Utah, and Colorado. This plant occurs mostly in moist, shady, 

 timbered areas such as aspen, lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and spruce- 

 fir stands, but it is also common in mountain meadows, shaded parks, 

 and similar places. It grows at elevations varying from about 2,000 

 feet in the humid forests of the Northwest to about 9,000 feet fur- 

 ther inland. In some localities it is the dominant species and may 

 limitedly be found in almost pure stands. 



Like most of the other arnicas, this species is rather low in forage 

 value. Generally it is not relished, particularly by any class of 

 livestock. In some localities it is grazed to a limited extent by 

 sheep and cattle, the flower heads being eaten more readily than 

 other portions of the plant. 



Broadleaf arnica grows from fibrous roots and running root- 

 stocks (underground stems). The leaves are broad (lati folia means 

 broad leaves), and bright green. The lower leaves are usually 1 

 to 2,y 2 inches long but sometimes from 3 to 5 inches long and 2 to 

 3 inches broad. The leaves, stems, and circle of bracts around the 

 base of the flower head (involucre) are smooth or nearly free from 

 hair, differing in this respect from heartleaf arnica with which the 

 species is sometimes confused. From 1 to 5 showy, bright-yellow, 

 sunflowerlike flower heads are borne on each stem. 



