ASTERACEAE

SUNFLOWER FAMILY

David J. Keil, Family Editor and author, except as specified

Annual to tree
Leaves basal or cauline, alternate to whorled, simple to compound
Inflorescence: 1° inflorescence a head, each resembling a flower, 1–many, generally arrayed in cymes, generally subtended by ± calyx-like involucre; flowers 1–many per head
Flowers bisexual, unisexual, or sterile, ± small, of several types; calyx 0 or modified into pappus of bristles, scales, or awns, which is generally persistent in fruit; corolla radial or bilateral (rarely 0), lobes generally (0)4–5; stamens 4–5, anthers generally fused into cylinder around style, often appendaged at tips, bases, or both, filaments generally free, generally attached to corolla near throat; pistil 1, ovary inferior, 1-chambered, 1-seeded, style 1, branches 2, generally hair-tufted at tip, stigmas 2, generally on inside of style branches
Fruit: achene, cylindric to ovoid, generally deciduous with pappus attached
Genera in family: ± 1300 genera, 21,000 species (largest family of dicots): worldwide. Largest family in CA. Also see tribal key to CA genera: Strother 1997 Madroño 44(1):1–28. See glossary p. 25 for illustrations of general family characteristics.

WYETHIA

MULES EARS

Perennial from stout, taprooted caudex, generally ± unbranched
Leaves alternate, generally reduced upward; petiole generally << blade, often winged
Inflorescence: heads generally radiate, 1–few, ± large; involucre hemispheric or bell-shaped; phyllaries ± many in 2–3 series, outer often ± leaf-like; receptacle ± convex; chaff scales ± linear, entire, generally ± hairy
Ray flowers (0)5–20; ligules yellow
Disk flowers many; corollas yellow, lobes short; anthers brown or yellow, tips triangular; style tips linear, tapered
Fruit: pappus 0 or crown of scales; ray achenes 3-angled; disk achenes 4-angled, sometimes ± compressed
Etymology: (Nathaniel J. Wyeth, US explorer, 1802–1856)
Reference: [Weber 1946 Amer Midl Naturalist 35:400–452]

Native

W. angustifolia (DC.) Nutt.

Plant 3–9 dm, ± rough-hairy
Leaves: basal blades 10–50 cm, oblanceolate
Inflorescence: peduncle 20–30 cm, soft-hairy; involucre 3–4 cm diam, hemispheric; phyllaries 20–30 mm, linear to ± lanceolate, generally not leaf-like, soft-hairy, ciliate; chaff scales 13–15 mm
Ray flowers 8–21; ligules 15–45 mm
Disk flowers: corollas 10–11 mm
Fruit 7–8 mm, ± hairy; pappus of 1–4 awn-tipped scales, 7–9 mm (and sometimes crown of smaller scales)
Chromosomes: 2n=38
Ecology: Grassland,
Elevation: < 2000 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, Sierra Nevada, South Coast Ranges
Distribution outside California: to Washington
Horticultural information: SUN, DRN: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 &IRR: 8, 9, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.