Mentzelia laevicaulis
| Mentzelia laevicaulis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Cornales |
| Family: | Loasaceae |
| Genus: | Mentzelia |
| Species: | M. laevicaulis
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| Binomial name | |
| Mentzelia laevicaulis | |
| Varieties[1] | |
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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
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
- ^ "Mentzelia laevicaulis (Douglas ex Hook.) Torr. & A.Gray". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ Fertig, Walter. "Plant of the Week: Smoothstem blazingstar (Mentzelia laevicaulis)". www.fs.usda.gov. USDA Forest Service. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Mentzelia laevicaulis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
External links
Media related to Mentzelia laevicaulis at Wikimedia Commons