Chamisso’s Arnica

Arnica chamissonis

Pollinator Value

❄️ Winter Food Source: Dusky Grouse (Phasianidae) feeds on Arnica seeds, comprising 7.5% of diet in one study. This is a genus-level association; Dusky Grouse range is primarily western montane, with limited overlap to eastern populations.
S57 genus-level record

Proximity Score: 4
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: NW
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.4 – Boreal Plains, 5.4.3 – Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plain
Rarity Notes: Ranked SH (Historical) in Quebec, indicating that despite historical herbarium records from James Bay, Lac-Saint-Jean, Gaspesie, and Eastmain River regions, the species has not been recently documented in the province. Globally secure (G5) and nationally secure in Canada (N5). Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. S4 (Apparently Secure) in Ontario, with specimens from James Bay, Hudson Bay Lowlands, and Thunder Bay.
S22 G5, N5, not SARA; S54 QC and ON specimen localities; S26 not SARA listed
Rarity Ranks: QC SH – Historical, ON S4 – Apparently Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A rhizomatous perennial of moist meadows, stream banks, conifer forest openings, and late snow-melt areas, often at montane to subalpine elevations (0-3500 m). In Quebec, historical specimens are from northern and eastern regions (James Bay coast, Lac-Saint-Jean, Gaspesie, Eastmain River), reflecting its boreal affinity. The species favours sandy or loamy soils with high moisture and moderate to high anaerobic tolerance.
S6 moist meadows, conifer forests, stream banks; S48 QC specimens; S11 Anaerobic Tolerance=High

Roles: Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 6 bee associations (threshold=3)]

❌ Not Edible