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Wyethia mollis - Gray.

Common Name Woolly Wyethia, Woolly mule-ears
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards One report suggests that the leaves might be poisonous[94].
Habitats Dry wooded slopes and rocky openings, 1500 - 3000 metres in California[71].
Range South-western N. America - Oregon to California.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Wyethia mollis Woolly Wyethia, Woolly mule-ears


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dcrjsr
Wyethia mollis Woolly Wyethia, Woolly mule-ears
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dcrjsr

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Wyethia mollis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. 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 and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root  Seed
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked. A sweet and agreeable flavour[94]. The N. 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 - raw or cooked[257]. The seed can be used as a piñole, or it can be ground into a powder and used as a mush or mixed with cereals flours to make bread etc[257].

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.
Antiphlogistic  Blood tonic  Diaphoretic  Emetic  Febrifuge  Poultice

The root is antiphlogistic, diaphoretic, emetic and febrifuge[94, 257]. A decoction has been used as a blood tonic and also in the treatment of tuberculosis, venereal diseases, colds and fevers[257]. A poultice of the crushed roots has been applied to swellings[257]. A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to sprains, swellings and broken bones[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]. This species is more tolerant of drought than other members of the genus[200]. Plants are not hardy in the colder areas of Britain[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

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 amplexicaulisMulesears Wyethia, Mule-earsPerennial0.8 4-8  LMNM31 
Wyethia angustifoliaCalifornia Compass PlantPerennial1.0 8-11  LMNM211
Wyethia helianthoidesSunflower Wyethia, Sunflower mule-earsPerennial0.0 0-0  LMNM30 
Wyethia longicaulisHumboldt MulesearsPerennial0.5 -  LMNM31 
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

Gray.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

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