Summary
Mentzelia laevicaulis is a showy wildflower native to western North America. Its common names include giant blazingstar[1] and smoothstem blazingstar.[1]
| Mentzelia laevicaulis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Cornales |
| Family: | Loasaceae |
| Genus: | Mentzelia |
| Species: | M. laevicaulis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Mentzelia laevicaulis | |
This is a widespread plant which can be found in sandy, rocky, and disturbed areas, such as roadsides.
Description edit
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.
References edit
- ^ a b "Mentzelia laevicaulis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
External links edit
Media related to Mentzelia laevicaulis at Wikimedia Commons
- Jepson Manual Treatment — Mentzelia laevicaulis
- Ventanawild.org: natural history
- Mentzelia laevicaulis — U.C. Photo gallery