northern mule's ears

Wyethia amplexicaulis is a cool-season forb (a flowering plant with broad leaves) that usually grows 25–50 centimeters (10–19+1⁄2 in) tall, but may occasionally reach 100 cm (39 in). It has many leaves that grow directly from the base of the plant (basal leaves) that are most often 15–30 cm (6–12 in) long, though sometimes reaching about 40 cm (16 in). Their width is usually about 15 cm. The leaves are a shining green, especially on the upper surface due to a light coating of resin (vernicose), with a smooth surface and have a range of possible shapes. They can be slightly lance point shaped, but widest at the midpoint and tapering smoothly to the tip and base (lance-elliptic), somewhat more rectangular in shape with the sides becoming more parallel, but still with an overall lance point shape (oblong-lanceolate), or fully lanceolate, long and narrow with a very pointed tip and tapered base. The edges of the leaves are most often smooth (entire), but will sometimes have small, fine teeth (denticulate) or even be clearly toothed (dentate), but they never have hairs on the edges of the leaves. The basal leaves are attached by a short stem. The leaves attached to the stems are the same in shape, but become smaller the higher up they are attached and those highest up lack a leaf stem with the base of the leaf clasping the stem. …

The natural range of W. amplexicaulis is from the Pacific Northwest of the United States, mostly east of the Cascade Mountains in Washington and Oregon, to the Rocky Mountains in Montana and Wyoming. It is not known to grow in Canada, though it comes close to the border in Idaho. It grows as far south as Nevada, Utah, and northern Colorado. Wyethia amplexicaulis grow most vigorously in meadows that are at least seasonally moist, but not permanently waterlogged. They grow near shadscale, sagebrush steppe, within juniper scrublands, between and in aspen groves, and in meadows in the lower montane zone. While they will grow on many soil types, they thrive on heavier soils such as clay soil types and are more likely to dominate them. In addition they most often grow in areas that are flat or with gentle slopes.

Wyethia amplexicaulis is often locally abundant, forming dense populations that are dominate or co-dominate with another species such as the grass Poa nevadensis. When overgrazed W. amplexicaulis will increase its cover particularly on clay soils. Once dominance is established by W. amplexicaulis due to overgrazing it is very difficult for other species to reestablish themselves. The open park like areas are a dense knee high expanse of green leaves with only a few other species scattered within it such as Lupinus species, Drymocallis glandulosa, Potentilla gracilis, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Wildfires also increase the number of W. amplexicaulis in the landscape in the years after the fire, though the immediate effects on plants is not yet documented. Early in the growing season the tender young foliage of W. amplexicaulis is eaten by mule deer, though it is not preferred forage. Likewise sheep will eat their leaves in the spring and early summer. The mature leaves are coarse and dry out by mid-summer, so the plants are not much consumed later in the season. They are not much grazed by other large herbivores like cattle and elk. However, elk, deer, and all livestock eat the flower heads with apparent enjoyment. …

The seeds have been gathered by the Goshute people of Utah as a food source. Tightly woven baskets were traditionally used to gather the seeds from the mature flower heads by knocking the seed heads with a tool made of wood into the basket under it.

== References ==

Because of their showy display when massed together, northern wyethia is sometimes planted in wildflower gardens. Though they provide strong early cover and growth they tend to be planted together with other wildflowers like blue flax (Linum lewisii), blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella), or tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) as they are vigorous in mid to late spring, but fade in the heat of summer. The main method of propagation for northern wyethia in gardens is the same as in the wild, seeds. The seeds require at least one month of cold, moist stratification for successful germination at temperatures below 4.5 °C (40 °F). They are planted by gardeners at an approximate depth of 6 millimeters either directly in the soil in their final location or in flats or pots. Plants in containers are moved to their planting location in the fall after a season of growth. Northern wyethia can also be propagated by root divisions in the fall or early spring before growth starts. Each piece of root must have at least one bud. Northern wyethia performs best in somewhat heavier soils such as clay-loam with a moderate amount of moisture, however it is adaptable to many soil types including gravel. The ideal pH is 6.0–7.5, a more neutral rather than acidic or alkaline soil. It is winter hardy in USDA zones 4–8.