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 Leaf Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Plants Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) | | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial Similar Species: Balsamorhiza sagittata, Wyethia amplexicaulis, W. x magna
General Desc:
Tall, upright perennial branched from the base with 1 to a few hairy stems often forming colonies. The hairy, elongated, oval basal leaves provide the common name "mule-ears". 1 to 3 bright yellow, daisy-like flower heads grow at top of the flower stem.
Identification notes: Stems 1 to few; leaves mostly basal, elliptic to lance-like, faces often rough, to 12 inches long; flower heads solitary or 2 to 3 per stem, bracts (phyllaries) 16 to 34 in 1 to 2 series; 11 to 12 ray flowers and 80 to 150 disc flowers, both yellow.
Height:
To nearly 2-1/2 feet
Habitat Description: Found in dry, sandy areas in meadows, openings in pine, oak or spruce-fir forests, sunny hillsides and on open to wooded slopes.
Plant Communities:
Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest
Elevation: 6400 - 9500 feet
Color:
Bright yellow
Shape:
Daisy or dandelion-like in round clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jun - Aug
Description:
Flower head is single or in 2 to 3 rounded clusters, consists of 11 to 12 strap-shaped ray flowers encircling a center of 80 to 150 tube-like disc flowers. Below the head is a rosette of leaf-like bracts, each about 1/2 inch long and 3/4 inch wide.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Round or oval
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Basal and alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
The mostly basal leaves are rough, hairy, oval to lance-shaped and grow up to 1 foot long. The stem leaves are greatly reduced up the stem and have somewhat hairy surfaces. The bases of the stem leaves may infrequently wrap around the stem (clasping).
Fruit Color: Brown
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Fruit is dry, smooth and 1/2 inch long. Its shape is prism-like with the ray achene being 3-angled and the disc achene 4-angled. Fruit doesn't split open when ripe to release the seed but has a ring of short bristles at the top to help in seed dispersal.
Seed Notes: 1 seed is produced by the fruit.
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