Arnica (vicosa )
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Lee Riley Horticulturist USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center 34963 Shoreview Road Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424 541-915-7324 541-767-5709 (fax) lee.riley@usda.gov |
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| Family Scientific Name: | Asteraceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Aster Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Arnica vicosa | ||
| Common Name: | Mt. Shasta Arnica | ||
| Species Code: | ARVI6 | ||
| Ecotype: | Crater Lake National Park | ||
| General Distribution: | There is minimal information on this species due to its restricted range, which includes California and Oregon. Its habitat and growth tolerances exhibit narrow ranges, but this is due to the lack of large populations to study. For habitat characteristics, this species is shade and low water tolerant; additionally, the soil pH exhibits a slightly basic trend (5.3 – 6.4). Soil texture varies from sandy loam to bedrock. The minimum elevation this species has been noted it roughly 1500 meters. Although this species is not noted as officially endangered, in California it is closely monitored due to limited distribution and relatively infrequent occurrence. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | Plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | Seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 262 ml (16 in3) container | ||
| Time To Grow: | 18 weeks | ||
| Target Specifications: | Stock Type: Container seedling Root System: Firm plug in container. | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Hand collect into paper bags. Filled seed percentages and seed ripeness vary widely in this species, as is the case with many high-elevation species. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | Due to small seed size, the easiest method is to sow seed into trays filled with stabilized medium plugs (Q-plugs). Trays are sealed inside plastic bags and placed into refrigeration at 1 to 3 °C for 90 days. Trays are checked weekly and kept moist throughout the stratification period. If mold is evident, trays should be treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Greenhouse growing facility. Q-plugs are lightly covered with nursery grit. Seedlings are transplanted to target containers approximately 4 weeks following removal from stratification. Growing medium used is 40:20:20:20 peat:composted fir bark:perlite:pumice with Apex controlled release fertilizer (16N:5P2O5:11K2O with minors; 180-d release rate at 21C) at the rate of 1.5 gram Apex per 262 ml container. |
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| Establishment Phase: | Germination is slow and somewhat inconsistent, depending on the quality of seeds. Germination can take up to 3 to 4 weeks. Following germination (while still in Q-plugs), plants are fertilized with soluble 12-2-14-6Ca-3Mg at 75 to 100 ppm for 2 weeks. | ||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 4 weeks | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | During the growing season, fertilization depends on weather and physiological needs. Soluble 20-9-20 NPK, 20-18-18 NPK, or 17-5-24 NPK at 100 to 150 ppm is applied weekly throughout the growing season to supplement the time-release fertilizer in the medium. | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 14 weeks | ||
| Hardening Phase: | No dry-down is done to induce dormancy. Seedlings are moved to an outdoor growing area in late August to early-September. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 4 weeks | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | Harvest Date: Early-October | ||
| Length of Storage: | Storage Conditions: Seedlings are usually outplanted in fall. No storage except in outdoor growing area. Plants are well irrigated prior to shipping and shipped in containers. | ||
| Other Comments: |
Perennial (rhizomatous) Forb/herb Hardiness zones 6b to 7b Blooming period: August to September Global Rank: G4 State Rank (California): S3 California Rare Plant Rank: 4.3 |
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| References: |
Dorena Genetic Resource Center Propagation Records, unpublished. Calflora. 2025. Arnica viscosa A. Gray, Mt. Shasta arnica. URL: https://www.calflora.org/app/taxon?crn=696 (accessed 5 Feb 2025). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Arnica viscosa A. Gray, Mt. Shasta arnica. URL: https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ARVI6 (accessed 5 Feb 2025). |
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Citation:
Riley, Lee E.; Kurtz, Brenna. 2025. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Arnica vicosa Plants 262 ml (16 in3) container; USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center Cottage Grove, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/10/16). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
