Wyethia mollis aka Woolly Mule Ears

Wyethia mollis is a perennial in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its common names include woolly wyethia and woolly mule-ears. It comes from the western United States. Its native range covers Oregon, Nevada, and California. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. In California, it grows on dry, wooded slopes and rocky openings. Recorded sites lie at 4,920–9,840 feet [1,500–3,000 metres] above sea level.

Plants reach about 3.3 feet [1 metre] in height. They flower from July through August. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The available sources give no details about flower colour or fruit. They also give no mature spread or detailed leaf description. Garden records list it as a plant for cultivated beds. Its perennial habit means it grows for more than two years.

Give this species full sun and soil that drains well. It does not grow in shade. Sandy and loamy soils both suit it. A gritty soil should still hold some moisture. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. It prefers moist soil but can cope with drought. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 7–10. It also warns that colder parts of Britain may prove unsuitable. These limits matter when choosing a permanent garden site.

Both roots and seeds have recorded food uses. People cook the roots, which have a sweet taste. One traditional method used hot stones in an earth pit. Leaves and soil covered the roots during the process. Seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. Ground seeds can make porridge or join flour for bread. This does not mean every part is safe to eat. One report raises concern that the leaves may be poisonous.

Traditional medicine records describe several uses for roots and leaves. Root preparations were used for fevers, colds, and other illnesses. Crushed roots were applied to swollen areas. Crushed leaves were applied to sprains, swellings, and broken bones. These are historical uses, not evidence that treatments work. PFAF lists no other uses and reports no weed potential. It describes careful crown division in spring as a propagation method. Its early-spring seed-sowing guidance is a suggestion, not species-specific trial evidence.