Kingdom Plantae Family Loasaceae Scientific name Mentzelia congesta Rank Species | Order Cornales Genus Mentzelia Higher classification Mentzelia | |
Similar Mentzelia tricuspis, Mentzelia polita, Mentzelia pectinata | ||
Mentzelia congesta is a species of flowering plants in the family Loasaceae known by the common name united blazingstar.
Contents
Distribution
The plant is native to the western United States, from Idaho to California.
It grows in forest, scrub, chaparral, and woodland habitats. It is found at 1,500–2,700 metres (4,900–8,900 ft) in elevation.
Description
It is an annual herb producing a tan-colored erect stem up to 40 centimeters tall. The leaves are up to 9 centimeters long and may be smooth-edged or lobed.
The inflorescence is a dense cluster of flowers wrapped in wide, toothed bracts which are white in color with green tips. Each flower has five shiny yellow petals 3 to 9 millimeters long, each with an orange spot near the base.
The fruit is a narrow, straight utricle up to 12 millimeters in length. It contains many minute angular seeds with concave sides covered in tiny bumps.