Wyethia reticulata
El dorado county mule ears, El Dorado County Mule Ears
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Wyethia reticulata (El dorado county mule ears) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by differentiated by low elevation, veined leaves, and restricted range.
El dorado county mule ears is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothills in El Dorado County, growing on wooded slopes and in chaparral at elevations of 150 to 600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in large heads with ray flowers 20 to 25 millimeters long. Growing 40 to 70 centimeters tall with erect stems that are generally branched toward the top and slightly sticky-glandular, it develops a distinctive form. Its leaves are lance-ovate to triangular, 5 to 15 centimeters long, with broadly obtuse bases and prominently veined undersides that appear almost varnished. Its flower heads are hemispheric, 2 to 3 centimeters wide, with phyllaries that are oblong or lanceolate and often spreading or reflexed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species - differentiated by low elevation, veined leaves, and restricted range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wooded slopes, chaparral
Elevation: 150-600 m
Bloom period
Wyethia reticulata blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 reticulata native to California?
Yes. Wyethia reticulata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Wyethia reticulata bloom?
Wyethia reticulata blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Wyethia reticulata belong to?
Wyethia reticulata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Wyethia.
Is Wyethia reticulata rare or endangered?
Wyethia reticulata carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Wyethia reticulata grow in?
Wyethia reticulata grows in Wooded slopes, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Wyethia sp. — Mule's ears
- Wyethia angustifolia — California compassplant
- Wyethia bolanderi — Bolander's mule's ears
- Wyethia elata — Hall's wyethia
- Wyethia glabra — Coast range mule ears
- Wyethia helenioides — Gray mule ears
- Xanthisma gracile — Annual bristleweed
- Xanthisma junceum — Rush-like bristleweed
- Xanthisma sp.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.