Wyethia glabra is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Coast Range mule's ears. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the North and Central Coast Ranges. It is a perennial herb growing from a tough taproot and caudex unit and producing a stem up to 40 centimeters tall. It is hairless to hairy and glandular. The leaves have lance-shaped or oval blades up to 45 centimeters long. The inflorescence is usually a solitary flower head or occasionally a cluster of 2 or more. The head has lance-shaped leaflike phyllaries at the base. It contains up to 21 yellow ray florets each up to 5 centimeters long and many yellow disc florets. The fruit is an achene over a centimeter long, including its pappus.
How to keep Wyethia Glabra.
Water
The coast range mule-ears plant is well-suited to dry regions. It demonstrates high drought tolerance and effectively conserves water. While it thrives with weekly watering, it actually prefers drier conditions, reflecting the low rainfall of its native habitat. This resilience makes it an excellent choice for xeriscaping in arid climates.
Pruning
Coast Range mule-ears benefit greatly from careful pruning between early and late spring. Key techniques include removing dead foliage, thinning dense areas to improve airflow, and cutting back stems to promote new growth. These practices enhance the plant's health and flowering potential.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Genus
- Wyethia
- Family
- Asteraceae
