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Mentzelia laevicaulis

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Mentzelia laevicaulis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Cornales
Family: Loasaceae
Genus: Mentzelia
Species:
M. laevicaulis
Binomial name
Mentzelia laevicaulis
Varieties[1]
  • M. laevicaulis var. laevicaulis
  • M. laevicaulis var. parviflora

Mentzelia laevicaulis is a showy biennial or short-lived perennial wildflower native to western North America.[2] Its common names include giant blazingstar[3] and smoothstem blazingstar.[3]

This is a widespread plant which can be found in sandy, rocky, and disturbed areas, such as roadsides.

Description

[edit]
Yellow blazing star (Mentzelia laevicaulis)

It grows a branched stem which may reach a yard in height. The whitish-green stem and its lateral branches bear the occasional triangular sawtoothed leaf. The plant bears capsule fruits containing winged seeds.

At the tip of each branch blooms a spectacular yellow flower. The star-shaped flower has five narrow, pointed petals with shiny yellow surfaces, each up to 3 inches long. Between the petals are long, thin yellow sepals. The center of the open-faced flower is filled with a great many whiskery yellow stamens. Beneath the petals are long, curling bracts.

Mentzelia laevicaulis (Losaceae botanical family)

References

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  1. ^ "Mentzelia laevicaulis (Douglas ex Hook.) Torr. & A.Gray". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  2. ^ Fertig, Walter. "Plant of the Week: Smoothstem blazingstar (Mentzelia laevicaulis)". www.fs.usda.gov. USDA Forest Service. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Mentzelia laevicaulis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
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Media related to Mentzelia laevicaulis at Wikimedia Commons