Gray Mule's Ears

Gray Mule’s Ears have a very similar appearance to Narrow Leaf Mule Ears (Wyethia angustifolia). Gray Mule’s Ears long, broad bladed leaves grow around the base of the bright green fleshy stem. The leaves are grayish-green to bright green in color and are much larger than those of Narrow Leaf Mule Ears. The sunflower-like flowers on top of the stem are large and bright yellow, with numerous narrow yellow petals. The petals of Gray Mule’s Ears are wider than those of Narrow Leaf Mule Ears and end in smoother points.

Basic Information

• Member of the Asteraceae family

• Perennial herb

• This plant is winter dormant, dying back in the winter to regrow in the spring

• Closely related to Wyethia angustifolia

Habitat

• Native to California’s North Coast Range, Central Coast range and some areas of the Sierra Nevada foothills

  • Endemic (limited) to California

• Typically found on sunny hills in mixed chaparral forests

Ecological Role

• Pollinators of all kinds, especially bumble bees and butterflies, love this plant

Reproduction

• Blooms from February to May

Alternative Names

• Whitehead Wyethia, Whitehead Mule-ears

Historical Uses

• The Miwok and other tribes used the green leaves as a top layer over hot stones to create an earth oven