Family: Asteraceae - SUNFLOWER FAMILY, ASTER FAMILY (Compositae)
Genus: Arnica from Greek 'lamb's skin' for woolly area under the flowerheads
Species: latifolia means 'broad-leaf'
aka Mountain Arnica, Daffodil Leopardbane. Many of the yellow flowers in the park are arnicas with eight species present making it difficult for the novice to properly identify, which may be the case here. A. latifolia grows to over 1 1/2' (to 50 cm) and the two to four ovate leaves reach about 1 1/2" and those in the middle and upper parts of the stem are not stalked. The yellow flowers have 8 - 12 rays which are squared off at the tips. Common and usually found along streams, in meadows and open slopes above 4,000' elevation.
Trail Notes:
Trail/Hike: Spray Park
Date: August 4, 2006
Location: within 1.0 mi. from the trailhead at Mowich Lake
