Blazing-Star (Mentzelia laevicaulis) is a biennial (or short-lived perennial) which grows from a long taproot. The stems grow vertically and are hairy (slightly barbed). Basal leaves are linear in shape and slightly lobed. The stem is a whitish-green color and usually has branches. Stem leaves are alternate, with a sawtooth shape. Numerous terminal flowers develop in early summer.
A showy bright shiny yellow flower with 5 petals blooms in summer. Sepals grow between the petals. In the center are a number of yellow stamens.
After flowering capsules form with winged seeds for dispersal later in summer.
We observe blazing star in dry, rocky areas, often with no other plants nearby in summer. It is also called giant blazing-star. We look forward to seeing it each summer and we know a few spots where we can hike to find it in bloom.
