woolly mule's ears
ExplorePlants
woolly mule's ears
Wyethia mollis
Woolly mule's ears are soft, fuzzy plants with big, round leaves. They grow in sunny places and can be found in meadows and along trails. These plants are fun to touch and look at!
Habitat: Meadows
Appearance
The woolly mule's ears has large, fuzzy silver-green leaves shaped like a mule's ear, giving it its name. Its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers grow singly or in small clusters atop sturdy stalks, making it stand out in mountain meadows.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusWyethia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It grows high in the mountains, sometimes above the tree line!
Its scientific name, Wyethia, honors a famous American explorer!
The seeds are a tasty treat for many small birds and rodents!
These plants often grow in "colonies," covering large patches of ground!
Special abilities
Ability
Fuzzy Sweater
Woolly mule's ears has dense, soft hairs on its leaves that help it survive cold mountain air and reflect harsh sunlight.
Ability
Deep Drinker
Woolly mule's ears can grow a long taproot that helps it find deep water and nutrients in dry, rocky mountain soil.
Ability
Sun Tracker
Woolly mule's ears flowers often track the sun's movement, helping them warm up and attract more busy pollinators.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-80 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 4-8 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
honey bee
Apis mellifera
gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers
pollinates
yellow-faced bumblebee
Bombus vosnesenskii
helps transfer pollen between its sunny blooms
eaten by
mule deer
Odocoileus hemionus
browses on its leaves and tender shoots
eaten by
yellow-bellied marmot
Marmota flaviventris
grazes its fuzzy leaves in high mountain meadows
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick the plants, so they can keep growing!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify woolly mule's ears?
The easiest way to identify woolly mule's ears is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is woolly mule's ears?
30-80 cm
How wide does woolly mule's ears spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on woolly mule's ears?
4-8 cm
When does woolly mule's ears bloom?
Summer
Is woolly mule's ears edible?
No
Is woolly mule's ears toxic?
Mild
What is woolly mule's ears's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
