Practical
Plants

Wyethia longicaulis

Humboldt Mulesears

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Wyethia
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Seed - cooked. It can be used as a piñole or can be ground into a powder and used with cereals in making bread etc[1][2][4]. Young leaves and stems - raw or cooked[1][2][4]. Root - cooked[5][6]. The N. American Indians dug pits in the ground which they lined with large stones. They then burnt a fire on top of the stones until the stones were hot. The roots were placed on these hot stones, sealed in with fern leaves and earth and then fermented for one or two days before being eaten[8].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

A decoction of the roots has been used in the treatment of stomach aches[4]. Externally, it can be used as a wash in the treatment of headaches and as a wash for inflamed and sore eyes[4]. A poultice of the baked roots has been applied to rheumatic joints[4]. A poultice of the dried powdered roots has been applied to burns and running sores[4].

Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Salve
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California.
Habitat
Open woods and exposed ridges, 800 - 1500 metres[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse or cold frame in early spring. Use a very freely-draining compost, prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions when they are large enough. Careful division of the crown as the plants come into growth in spring[3].

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[3]. Plants are intolerant of drought[3].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  5. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  6. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  7. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

  8. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩

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