Wildflowers of the United States

White Mule's Ears, White Wyethia, White-rayed Wyethia - Wyethia helianthoides

Genus Common Name: Mule Ears

Native Status: Native

Wyethia helianthoides - White Mule's Ears, White Wyethia, White-rayed Wyethia. The plants of the Wyethia (Mule-ears) genus is found in the western part of the United States. There are 10 classified species, of which two are hybrids. Only three of these are found in Idaho, where these photos are taken. Two of the pure species, Wyethia amplexicaulis and this one, W. Helianthoides, hybridize to form the third classified species found in Idaho, W. Xcusickii.

While White Mule's Ears is a relatively low-growing plant, usually less than 24 inches tall, with the long leaves for which the genus gets its common name being up to 16 inches long.

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Distribution of Wyethia helianthoides in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
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Site: Challis National Forest, Custer County, ID Date: 2010-June-13	Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
The Wyethia genus is in the Asteraceae family, and W. helianthoides has white ray flowers and yellow disk flowers.

Site: Challis National Forest, Custer County, ID Date: 2010-June-13	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The blossom of White Mule's Ears are large – perhaps 3 inches or more across – and have a large central disk relative to the blossom size.
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Site: Challis National Forest, Custer County, ID Date: 2010-June-13	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The leaf of Wyethia helianthoides can be up to 16 inches long, and is on a relatively short petiole. It is covered with small hairs. The leaf shape is what gives the genus its Mule's ears common name.
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Site: Challis National Forest, Custer County, ID Date: 2010-June-13	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60 1/500f/11 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
White Mule's Ears can grow in large, dense colonies in moist meadows, creating a beautiful display.
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Wyethia helianthoides initially published on USWildflowers.com 2010-07-18; Updated 2015-06-24

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer

Code Update 20230302