Wyethia mollis
Mountain mule ears
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Wyethia mollis (Mountain mule ears) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by differentiated by high elevation range and mountain habitats.
Mountain mule ears is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascades, northern and central Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau, and northern eastern Sierra Nevada in open forests, meadows, dry rocky slopes, and sagebrush scrub at elevations of 900 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces large yellow sunflower-like flowers with ray petals 15 to 45 millimeters long in heads 2 centimeters wide. Growing 30 to 100 centimeters tall with densely woolly stems that often become smoother with age, it develops a robust, upright form. Its large basal leaves are 20 to 40 centimeters long, oblanceolate to widely obovate, initially covered in dense woolly hair and often becoming less hairy over time. The distinctive leaves and bright yellow flowers make this a prominent wildflower in its mountain and foothill habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species - differentiated by high elevation range and mountain habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open forest, meadows, dry rocky slopes, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 900-3400 m
Outside California: southeastern Oregon, western Nevada
Bloom period
Wyethia mollis blooms May-Jul(Sep).
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 mollis native to California?
Yes. Wyethia mollis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Wyethia mollis bloom?
Wyethia mollis blooms May-Jul(Sep).
What plant family does Wyethia mollis belong to?
Wyethia mollis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Wyethia.
What habitat does Wyethia mollis grow in?
Wyethia mollis grows in Open forest, meadows, dry rocky slopes, sagebrush 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.