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Wyethia helianthoides - Nutt.

Common Name Sunflower Wyethia, Sunflower mule-ears
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist or wet meadows at moderate elevations in mountains[60].
Range Western N. America - C. and E. Oregon to Montana.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Wyethia helianthoides Sunflower Wyethia, Sunflower mule-ears


Margaret Williams @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Wyethia helianthoides Sunflower Wyethia, Sunflower mule-ears
Margaret Williams @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Wyethia helianthoides is a PERENNIAL. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[105, 161]. The native North American Indians dug pits in the ground which they lined with large stones. They then burnt a fire on top of the stones until the stones were hot. The roots were placed on these hot stones, sealed in with fern leaves and earth and then fermented for one or two days[94].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a free-draining, gritty but moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position[200]. Plants are intolerant of drought[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse or cold frame in early spring. Use a very freely-draining compost, prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when they are large enough. Careful division of the crown as the plants come into growth in spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, Nevada)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Wyethia amplexicaulisMulesears Wyethia, Mule-earsPerennial0.8 4-8  LMNM31 
Wyethia angustifoliaCalifornia Compass PlantPerennial1.0 8-11  LMNM211
Wyethia longicaulisHumboldt MulesearsPerennial0.5 -  LMNM31 
Wyethia mollisWoolly Wyethia, Woolly mule-earsPerennial1.0 7-10  LMNM41 
Wyethia robusta Perennial0.6 -  LMNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Nutt.

Botanical References

60

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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Subject : Wyethia helianthoides  
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