Widespread in meadows of northern NM mountains, this common wildflower reaches 2-feet tall with a single stem topped with a bright, yellow flower. Note the flower stem has 2–4 pairs of hairy, heart-shaped leaves with short stems (petioles).

FLOWER: May–August. Usually 1 flower head per stem, 1–2 1/2-inches diameter (2.5–6.3 cm), with 6–13 yellow ray flowers surrounding a yellow-orange disk; white pappus hairs in the disk, phyllaries beneath the rays covered with long hairs.

LEAVES: Opposite with petioles (stems). Blades heart shaped, 1 1/4–4-inches long and wide (3–10 cm), surfaces hairy, margins with shallow teeth.

HABITAT: Moist soils, meadows, stream sides; spruce-fir forests to subalpine meadows.

ELEVATION: 7,000–11,000 feet.

RANGE: All states west of Rocky Mts.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Hairy Arnica, A. mollis, unusual in northern NM mountains but common in Colo., has tan pappus hairs in the disk, 2–4 pairs of elliptic to lance-shaped leaves, upper leaves without stems (sessile), margins entire or with tiny teeth, surfaces hairy.

NM COUNTIES: In northern NM mountains in high-elevation, moist habitats: Colfax, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Taos.