Mule-Ears
Wyethia amplexicaulis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Wyethia
- Species:
- Wyethia amplexicaulis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow
Native Range
United States: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Oidaematophorus occidentalis
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), van Dyke bumble bee (Bombus vandykei), van Dyke bumble bee (Bombus vandykei), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds require cold stratification for 90 or more days for optimal germination. Seeds from northern Nevada and California specifically require 4 weeks of cool, moist stratification.
Establishment: Seeds are collected in late July or early August when the inflorescence is dry and the seeds are dark brown in color. Seedheads are clipped from the plants and stored in paper bags at room temperature until cleaned. The plant is generally found in the Western US east to Montana and south to Colorado and Nevada.
Source: npn.rngr.net