- Mentzelia laevicaulis
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Mentzelia laevicaulis 
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. & GrayMentzelia 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.
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.
External links
Categories:- Mentzelia
- Flora of the Great Basin desert region
- Flora of the California desert regions
- Flora of British Columbia
- Flora of California
- Flora of Colorado
- Flora of Idaho
- Flora of Montana
- Flora of Nevada
- Flora of Oregon
- Flora of Utah
- Flora of Washington (state)
- Flora of Wyoming
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