Species library · Plants & herbs

Arnica: poisonous

Arnica montana

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Arnica is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from June to August in the northern hemisphere. Found in Heath & moor, Grassland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Arnica (Arnica montana)

Photo: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhlers Medizinal-Pflanzen (Public domain)

When Arnica appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Arnica is usually found in Heath & moor, Grassland.

Look up Arnica in the app

In the Forage app, Arnica has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Arnica: common questions

Is Arnica poisonous?

Yes. Arnica is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Arnica appear?

Arnica usually appears from June to August in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Arnica grow?

Arnica is usually found in Heath & moor, Grassland.

What can Arnica be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: common ragwort, leopard's bane, orange hawkweed. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits