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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Mentzelia laevicaulis (Smoothstem blazingstar)
Reveal, James L.

Mentzelia laevicaulis

Mentzelia laevicaulis (Hook.) Torr. & A. Gray

Smoothstem Blazingstar, Giant Blazingstar, Evening Star, Stick Leaf

Loasaceae (Loasa Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: MELA2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

This biennial’s first year taproot carries a low, broad mound of rough, gray-green, coarsely toothed leaves. The second year, a 4-5 ft. flowering stalk branches out candelabra-fashion with dozens of large, yellow, starry flowers. Each flower is filled with long bunches of yellow stamens and opens from late afternoon until early morning.

There are many species of Mentzelia in the West. They are commonly called Stickleaf because of the leaves' barbed hairs that readily cling to fabric.

 

From the Image Gallery

100 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: Dry areas from s.c. B.C. to s. CA, e. to MT, WY & UT
Native Habitat: Sandy, gravelly or talus-covered slopes of mt. canyons

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Gravelly or sandy soils.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seeds.
Seed Treatment: Germination is enhanced if seeds are soaked prior to sowing, however seeds of this species will germinate without pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Mentzelia laevicaulis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Mentzelia laevicaulis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mentzelia laevicaulis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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