blazing star

plant, Mentzelia laevicaulis

Also known as: Mentzelia laevicaulis

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "blazing star" can refer to two types of plants. One is any of various North American herbs in the genus Liatris, known for their spikes of rosy-purple flowers. The other, and the one specifically mentioned as Mentzelia laevicaulis, belongs to the Loasaceae family. These plants, often found in western North America, are characterized by their satiny orange or yellow blooms that open in the evening. Unlike some other members of the Loasaceae family, which possess stinging hairs, Mentzelia laevicaulis has nonstinging, hooked hairs.12

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Loasaceae
4-inch), cupped, five-petalled flowers of blazing star (M. laevicaulis) of western North America. The yellow, fragrant blooms of blazing star open in the early evening. A few Loasaceae grow in Africa, western Asia, and Polynesia (Marquesas Islands).
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4-inch), cupped, five-petalled flowers of blazing star (M. laevicaulis) of western North America. The yellow, fragrant blooms of blazing star open in the early evening. A few Loasaceae grow in Africa, western Asia, and Polynesia (Marquesas Islands).
Read More