Mentzelia laevicaulis
| Mentzelia laevicaulis | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Cornales |
| Family: | Loasaceae |
| Genus: | Mentzelia |
| Species: | M. laevicaulis |
| Binomial name | |
| Mentzelia laevicaulis (Dougl. ex Hook.) Torr. & Gray |
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Mentzelia laevicaulis is a showy wildflower native to western North America. Its common names include giant blazing star and smoothstem blazing star.
This is a widespread plant which can be found in sandy, rocky, and disturbed areas, such as roadsides.
[edit] Description
It grows a weedy-looking, branched stem which may reach a meter 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 8 centimeters 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.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mentzelia laevicaulis |
