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 amplexicaulis
Wyethia amplexicaulis (Nutt.) Nutt.
Mule-ears
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Espeletia amplexicaulis
USDA Symbol: WYAM
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
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: May , Jun
Distribution
USA: CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYNative Distribution: C. WA to w. MT, s. to NV & n.w. CO
Native Habitat: Dry meadows; open hillsides; foothills; canyons
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight 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: yesFind 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: | FAC | 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 amplexicaulis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Wyethia amplexicaulis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Wyethia amplexicaulis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-30Research By: TWC Staff