Mentzelia nuda

(White-flowered Blazingstar)

_DSC1056%20copy

Mentzelia nuda, Prewitt Reservoir, Washington Co. 08317

_DSC1056%20copy

Mentzelia nuda, Prewitt Reservoir, Washington Co. 08322

_DSC1056%20copy

Mentzelia nuda, Prewitt Reservoir, Washington Co. 08325

_DSC1056%20copy

Mentzelia nuda, Prewitt Reservoir, Washington Co. 08328

_DSC1056%20copy

Mentzelia nuda, Prewitt Reservoir, Washington Co. 08329

Scientific Name Mentzelia nuda USDA PLANTS Symbol MENU
Common Name White-flowered Blazing Star, Bractless Blazingstar ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 503790
Family Loasaceae (Loasa) SEINet
Reference		 Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 6500 ft.); usually sandy and/or rocky soils in open areas; roadsides, prairies, hillsides and stream banks.
Plant: Stout leafy biennial or perennial with single stem up to 40 inches tall, branched in the upper portion.
Leaves: Narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, 1.5 to 4 inches long and up to 0.8-inch wide; sessile and margins are serrate; surfaces are very rough with short hairs (scabrous).
Inflorescence: Large white to cream flowers borne near branch tips, 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches wide with 5 petals and 5 (or more) equal petal-like modified stamens, giving the appearance of flowers with ~10 petals; petals open in late afternoon; numerous protruding white stamens; hairy, cylindrical calyx with 5 lanceolate, pointed lobes beneath the petals; 2 to 6 small, leaf-like bracts beneath the calyx.
Bloom Period: July to September.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, Wildflowers of New Mexico, Flora of North America and SEINet.		 BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key		 Colorado Status:
Native
Back to White/Green Flowers

© Tom Lebsack 2025

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains

 I try to provide accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information, but cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of any information presented on this website. I use authoritative references to insure high standards of accuracy and review and update the information frequently.