Wyethia X magna, Mule's Ears

Flowers of wyethia x magna have around 10 to 13 ray petals and a center of darker yellow disc florets, often somewhat protruding. Flowers measure 4 inches in diamater and grow on slightly hairy stalks, which branch a few times and also bear small, pointed leaves, while at the base are much larger leaves, one foot or more in length, with a prominent central vein. The plant is a hybrid, between wyethia arizonica (which is generally hairier and has leaves on stalks) and wyethia amplexicaulis (which has more ray petals, larger bracts and smoother stalks). All three species may be distinguished from the otherwise very similar balsamorhiza (balsamroot) by the presence of small leaves along the stems; balsamroot plants have leafless stems.