Friends of the Clearwater Species Spotlight:
Mule’s Ears (Wyethia amplexicaulis) |
| The Greater Yellowlegs makes use of ponds and wet meadows in our region. © William L Newton/CLC. |
by Will Boyd, from the May 2005 Newsletter
This showy composite adorns many hillsides and meadows throughout the Wild Clearwater Country. It is often mistaken for Arrowleaf Balsamroot which you may see on drier hillsides this time of year. Mule’s Ears’ stemless basal leaves, when viewed close up, help distinguish these two spring blooming wildflowers.
The plant’s Latin name was given by Thomas Nuttal, who accompanied Nathaniel Wyeth (1802-1856) on his expeditions to the Oregon country (1832 & 1834) in hopes of establishing a fur trading business. A poultice of warmed, pounded roots were used by the Okanagan-Colville to reduce arthritic and rheumatic pain.
Mule’s ears are a perennial and are known to hybridize with closely related Wyethia helianthoides, which has white flowers. Entire meadows of Wyethia are not uncommon. They can also be found in forest openings on south-facing slopes.
For more information about hikes and other educational and recreational events sponsored by Friends of the Clearwater, call 208-882-9755 or visit www.wildrockies.org/foc.
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