Wyethia helenioides
Gray mule ears
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Wyethia helenioides (Gray mule ears) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by differentiated by gray woolly appearance and large leaf-like bracts.
Gray mule ears is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern and central Sierra Nevada, Sutter Buttes, San Joaquin Valley, and Coast Ranges in open grasslands, woodlands, and scrub at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces yellow ray flowers 20 to 50 millimeters long with distinctive leaf-like outer phyllaries that spread widely. Growing 20 to 70 centimeters tall with densely tomentose stems that become nearly smooth with age, it develops robust and prominent growth. Its basal leaves are large, measuring 25 to 45 centimeters long, elliptic to oblong-ovate, initially covered in dense woolly hair but gradually becoming smoother. The fruit develops 12 to 15 millimeters long with small hairy pappus scales.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species - differentiated by gray woolly appearance and large leaf-like bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open grassland, woodland, scrub
Elevation: < 2000 m
Bloom period
Wyethia helenioides blooms Mar-May(Aug).
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 helenioides native to California?
Yes. Wyethia helenioides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Wyethia helenioides bloom?
Wyethia helenioides blooms Mar-May(Aug).
What plant family does Wyethia helenioides belong to?
Wyethia helenioides is in the Asteraceae family, genus Wyethia.
What habitat does Wyethia helenioides grow in?
Wyethia helenioides grows in Open grassland, woodland, scrub.
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.