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Mentzelia laevicaulis
Erect whitish stem, widely branching. Stems and leaves coated with stiff barbed hairs. Leaves lobed. Basal leaves 7–10 in.; stem leaves 1–4 in. Flowers at stem tips with 1 green bract per bright yellow flower, 5 sepals shorter and narrower than the five l in. long petals, many stamens at different. 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 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.
lengths. Grows in sandy, gravelly, or rocky slopes in washes or roadsides below 9000 ft. •Rarity: Locally Common •Flowering Time: All Summer •Life Cycle: Biennial, Perennial •Height: 9--40 inches •Habitat: Shrub-Steppe, Dry Rocky Sites •Found In: Steens, N Cascades NP •Native: Yes
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