Wyethia bolanderi
Bolander's mule's ears, Bolander's Mule's Ears
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Wyethia bolanderi (Bolander's mule's ears) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family.
Bolander's mule's ears is a California native perennial found in northeastern North Coast Ranges Interior and northern and central Sierra Nevada Foothills in grassland and chaparral at elevations of 300 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with ray blooms 20 to 30 millimeters long in distinctive heads. Growing with decumbent stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall that are somewhat sticky, it spreads with relatively low-growing habit. Its leaves are widely ovate-cordate, 4 to 12 centimeters long, with a shiny surface and prominent veining that appears gland-dotted. The flower heads feature distinctive outer phyllaries 18 to 30 millimeters long that are leaf-like and prominently veined.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, chaparral
Elevation: 300-1000 m
Bloom period
Wyethia bolanderi blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Helianthella: Wyethia has leaves scattered up the stem while Helianthella leaves are mostly basal or opposite.; vs Balsamorhiza: Wyethia has several leaves climbing the stem; Balsamorhiza leaves are nearly all at ground level.; vs Agnorhiza: Wyethia has large 8-12mm disk flowers; Agnorhiza disk flowers are much smaller.; vs Helianthus: Wyethia has very large disk flowers (8-12mm) and broader leaves; Helianthus has smaller disk flowers.; vs Gazania: Wyethia is a robust native perennial with scattered stem leaves; Gazania is a low garden escape.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wyethia bolanderi native to California?
Yes. Wyethia bolanderi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Wyethia bolanderi bloom?
Wyethia bolanderi blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Wyethia bolanderi belong to?
Wyethia bolanderi is in the Asteraceae family, genus Wyethia.
What habitat does Wyethia bolanderi grow in?
Wyethia bolanderi grows in Grassland, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.