Mentzelia laevicaulis

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
Yellow blazing star (Mentzelia laevicaulis)

It grows a weedy-looking, 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
  1. "Mentzelia laevicaulis". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 5 September 2014.

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