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Mentzelia multiflora

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Mentzelia multiflora
Adonis blazingstar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Cornales
Family: Loasaceae
Genus: Mentzelia
Species:
M. multiflora
Binomial name
Mentzelia multiflora

Mentzelia multiflora, commonly known as Adonis blazingstar, Adonis stickleaf, desert blazingstar, prairie stickleaf and manyflowered mentzelia is a herbaceous perennial wildflower of the family Loasaceae.

Distribution

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Mentzelia multiflora is found in the western United States and northwestern Mexico: from Montana and North Dakota in the Great Plains; south to Texas and Southern California; and into Sonora and Chihuahua.[1]

This species prefers dry, sandy, well-drained soil. They require direct sunlight and are not found growing in the shade.[2]

Description

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Mentzelia multiflora grows to about 2–2.5 feet (0.61–0.76 m) tall. It has shiny white stems and numerous branches. Its sticky, bright green leaves are covered with hairs containing minute barbs.

The flowers are around 5 cm (2.0 in) in diameter, are yellow in colour and normally have ten petals. The flowers open in late afternoon and close in the morning.[3][4] The flowers are hermaphrodite and flower from March to October.[5] The plant does not live for more than three years.[6]

Varieties

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Varieties of Mentzelia multiflora include:

  • Mentzelia multiflora var. integra — M.E. Jones
  • Mentzelia multiflora var. longiloba — (J. Darl.) Kartesz[7][8][9]
  • Mentzelia multiflora var. multiflora[10]

Taxonomy

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Mentzelia multiflora was first described by the botanists Thomas Nuttall and Asa Gray. It is a "blazingstar" and is a member of the genus Mentzelia, the "stickleafs".[3][11]

Uses

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Medicinal

The plant is used by the Native Americans, particularly the Navajo people, as a medicinal plant.[12] It has been used to treat toothache and as a diuretic.[13][14] The roots and leaves have been used to treat tuberculosis.[2]

Cultivation

The plant is cultivated as an ornamental plant, used as a wildflower in specialty gardens.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "ITIS Standard Report Page: Mentzelia multiflora". Itis.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-10-28. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  2. ^ a b "Mentzelia multiflora Manyflowered Mentzelia, Adonis blazingstar PFAF Plant Database". pfaf.org. Archived from the original on 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  3. ^ a b "NPIN: Mentzelia multiflora (Adonis blazingstar)". Wildflower.org. 2010-05-28. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  4. ^ "Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness- Mentzelia multiflora". Wnmu.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  5. ^ "Native Plants for Pollinators & Beneficial Insects: SW–Sonoran Desert" (PDF). Xerces.org. Xerces Society. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Technical Bulletin. The Department. 1934. p. 9. Archived from the original on 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  7. ^ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  8. ^ "USDA Plants Profiles". Plants.usda.gov. 2010-07-26. Archived from the original on 2022-11-05. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  9. ^ "Archived TJM 1993 treatment for MENTZELIA multiflora subsp. longiloba". ucjeps.berkeley.edu. Archived from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  10. ^ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  11. ^ "Centennial Museum and Gardens - Home". Museum.utep.edu. Archived from the original on 2008-03-28. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  12. ^ University of Michigan at Dearborn: Native American Ethnobotany of Mentzelia multiflora[permanent dead link] . accessed 10.1.2013
  13. ^ Moerman. D.; "Native American Ethnobotany" . Timber Press. Oregon 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
  14. ^ Whiting. A. F.; Ethnobotany of the Hopi" . North Arizona Society of Science and Art; 1939
  15. ^ Huxley. A.; "The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening" . 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
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