Duration: Perennial

Leaves: Basal and stem leaves. Basal leaves petiolate, large, elliptic and pointed, like mules’ ears. Stem leaves smaller, alternate, sessile and clasping. Leaves have a resinous coating and a varnished look.

Native: Various: plains, meadows, steppe, foothills, canyons. Wide-ranging: WA to MT, south to NV, UT, and CO.

Mule’s ears has pleasant, shiny leaves and yellow flowers that make this plant worth waiting for. It is slow-growing and may take years to flower from seed. Native Americans utilized the root.