Mentzelia congesta
Encyclopedia
Mentzelia congesta is a species of flowering plants in the family Loasaceae
known by the common name united blazingstar. It is native to the western United States from Idaho
to California
where it grows in forest, scrub, and woodland habitat.
is a dense cluster of flowers wrapped in wide, toothed bract
s 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.
Loasaceae
The Loasaceae is a family of 15-20 genera and about 200-260 species of flowering plants in the order Cornales, native to the Americas and Africa. The family comprises annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous plants, and a few shrubs and small trees.Genera...
known by the common name united blazingstar. It is native to the western United States from Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
where it grows in forest, scrub, and woodland habitat.
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 inflorescenceInflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is a dense cluster of flowers wrapped in wide, toothed bract
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
s 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.