Mule's Ears
Wyethia amplexicaulis
Mule's ears is a bold western perennial with large, glossy, resinous leaves and big sunflower-like blooms in late spring, a long-lived, drought-tolerant native that forms striking clumps in sunny meadows. The root was traditionally pit-cooked for a day or two over hot stones until fermented soft; the seed and young shoots have also served as food.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Type
- wildflower
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 2.5–2.5 ft
- Spacing
- 2–3 ft apart
- Light
- sun
- Soil moisture
- wet
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral, alkaline
- Bloom
- May, June
- Bloom colors
- yellow
- Wildlife value
- pollinators, butterflies
- Landscape uses
- border, rain garden
- Native states
- CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY