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Wyethia amplexicaulis - Nutt.

Common Name Mulesears Wyethia, Mule-ears
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open, not too dry hillsides and dry meadows in the foothills[60].
Range Central and Western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Wyethia amplexicaulis Mulesears Wyethia, Mule-ears


nps.gov
Wyethia amplexicaulis Mulesears Wyethia, Mule-ears
Margaret Williams @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Wyethia amplexicaulis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August. 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

Espeletia amplexicaulis.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[46, 61, 105, 161, 257]. 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]. Seed[161, 177, 207, 257]. No more details are given. Young shoots[177]. No more details are given.

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.
Poultice

The roots furnish a remedy applied externally as a poultice to bruised and swollen limbs[207, 257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a free-draining, gritty but moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position[200]. Plants are intolerant of drought[200]. Plants are considered to be a pest of grazing ground in N. America and large-scale eradication programmes are carried out[212].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 angustifoliaCalifornia Compass PlantPerennial1.0 8-11  LMNM211
Wyethia helianthoidesSunflower Wyethia, Sunflower mule-earsPerennial0.0 0-0  LMNM30 
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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Nutt.

Botanical References

60200

Links / References

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

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Subject : Wyethia amplexicaulis  
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