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Wyethia amplexicaulis (Mule-ears)
Gammill, Lynn Crosby

Wyethia amplexicaulis (Nutt.) Nutt.

Mule-ears

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: WYAM

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Large, round, shiny leaves subtend a stout but lax stem, 1-3 ft. tall. Stem leaves are more lance-shaped, resembling the ears of mule. A large, yellow, sunflower-like flower head is often surrounded by smaller yellow flowers. Plant seems varnished with resin, the stout leafy stems growing from clumps of lanceolate leaves, ending in several large deep yellow flower heads on long stalks, the central head largest.

All species have leaves on the stem, distinguishing them from Balsamorhiza, which has all leaves at the base.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: C. WA to w. MT, s. to NV & n.w. CO
Native Habitat: Dry meadows; open hillsides; foothills; canyons
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist to mesic, well-drained clayey loams.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Wyethia amplexicaulis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Wyethia amplexicaulis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Wyethia amplexicaulis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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