Wyethia longicaulis

A. Gray

Humboldt mulesears

Asteraceae Edible: Leaves, Root, Seeds 56 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Wyethia longicaulis is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Humboldt mule's ears. It is endemic to California, where it occurs in the North Coast Ranges and the Klamath Mountains. It grows in mountain and foothill habitat such as grassland and forests. It is a perennial herb growing from a tough taproot and caudex unit and producing a stem up to half a meter tall. It is hairless to hairy and glandular. The leaves have lance-shaped or oblong blades up to 20 centimeters long. They are glandular and have a waxy exudate that dries white. The inflorescence is usually a cluster of 2 to 4 flower heads, each with up to 10 yellow ray florets which may be up to 3 centimeters long. The fruit is an achene about a centimeter long, including its tiny pappus.

Description

Perennial reaching 0.5 m tall. Hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. Grows in light sandy to medium loamy, well-drained soils with mildly acid to basic pH. Requires full sun and moist soil.

Edible Uses

The seeds are cooked and can be used as a piñole or ground into a powder and mixed with cereals when making bread. Young leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked. The root is cooked — Native American Indians prepared it by lining pits with large stones, heating them with fire, placing the roots on the hot stones, sealing them in with fern leaves and earth, and fermenting them for one or two days before eating.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are used with parched wheat for pinole. The leaves and stem are used for food.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

A decoction of the roots treats stomach aches internally and can be used externally as a wash for headaches and inflamed or sore eyes. A poultice of baked roots has been applied to rheumatic joints. A poultice of dried powdered roots has been applied to burns and running sores.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a free-draining, gritty but moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position. Plants are intolerant of drought.

Propagation

Sow seed in a greenhouse or cold frame in early spring using a very freely-draining compost. Prick out seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, then plant out into permanent positions when sufficiently established. The crown can also be carefully divided as plants come into growth in spring.

Other Uses

None known

References (5)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 925
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 601
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 19:4. 1883