Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Wyethia angustifolia
Wyethia angustifolia (DC.) Nutt.
California Compassplant, California-compassplant, Narrowleaf Mule Ears
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Wyethia angustifolia var. foliosa
USDA Symbol: WYAN
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Basal clumps of bright-green, narrow, tongue-shaped leaves, 1-2 ft. long subtend the 1 ft. flower stalks of this showy perennial. Large, showy, sunflower-like heads occur on the stalk. Thick, creeping, aromatic rhizomes increase the size of the colony each year.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: CA , OR , WANative Distribution: Cismontane CA from Tulare & San Luis Obispo Cos., n. to WA
Native Habitat: Open, grassy slopes; moist, open hillsides
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Description: Variable with occasional summer moisture.
Conditions Comments: Mule ears is fall dormant. Old dead flower heads can be cut off unless the edible seed is desired.
Propagation
Description: Use treated seed.Seed Treatment: Soak or stratify seed. Seeds should receive cool-moist stratification 90-120 days for proper germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Wyethia angustifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Wyethia angustifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Wyethia angustifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-30Research By: TWC Staff