Recorded Range: In the United States, Badlands Mule-Ears is found in the western United States in AZ, CO, MT, NM, UT and WY, primarily in AZ, UT and WY. In the southwest it is found in AZ, NM, UT and northward.
Genus Information: In North America there is 1 species and 5 accepted taxa overall for Scabrethia. Worldwide, The Plant List includes accepted species names and a further 2 scientific names of infraspecific rank for Scabrethia
The genus Scabrethia was published in 1998 by William Alfred Weber (1918-2020), American botanist and lichenologist.
There are 3 sub-species in Scabrethia scabra:
Scabrethia scabra ssp. attenuata, Badlands Mule-ears (AZ, NM, UT);
Scabrethia scabra ssp. canescens, Badlands Mule-ears (AZ, CO, NM, UT);
Scabrethia scabra ssp. scabra, also Badlands Mule-ears (AZ, CO, WY, MT, UT).
Comments: Badlands Mule-Ears is relatively common in northern Arizona particularly in areas with sandy soils and mesas. The photo above was taken 06/17, Monument Valley, Navajo County, Arizona.
Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock
Scabrethia scabra has attractive showy daisy-like flowers; the flowers and their seeds and plants may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of food, nectar, shelter and protection through cover.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Bees and Insects
Scabrethia scabra has attractive showy daisy-like flowers; the flowers and their plants may be visited by butterflies, moths, native bees and other insects in search of nectar and/or other food.
Etymology:
The genus “Scabrethia” (Scabretha:) - from "scabr" meaning rough and "etha" from Wyethia. The original genus Wyethia, was renamed to Scabrethia by William Alfred Weber in 1998. The new name partly honors Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth (1802-1856) for which the original genus was named.
The genus “Wyethia” is named for Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth (1802-1856), an American inventor, businessman, plant collector and explorer who discovered plants and sent samples to his friend Thomas Nuttall, (1786-1859).
The genus Scabrethia was published in 1998 by William Alfred Weber (1918-2020), American botanist and lichenologist.
