XMentzelia decapetala - Ten-Petal MentzeliaX
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Ten-Petal Mentzelia -or- Chalk Lily -or- Evening Starflower (Mentzelia decapetala), family Loasaceae (Loasa)
This difficult genus is known for problems for botanists from key writing to where to place the species. William Weber in Colorado Flora Eastern Slope places most species in the genus Nuttallia but mentions most others have them in Mentzelia. Per WIKIPEDIA is this: 'Mentzelia is a genus of about 60-70 species of flowering plants in the family Loasaceae, native to the Americas. The genus comprises annual, biennial, and perennial herbaceous plants and a few shrubs. They are commonly called blazing stars or stickleafs; other names include "evening stars" and "moonflowers". End quote.
USES and CAUTIONS: The flowers open late in the afternoon and close during the night. Ten-petal mentzelia has a strong, deep taproot and will not withstand transplanting. The rough leaves can cling to clothing or hair. These plants accumulate selenium and can be mildly poisonous. Forage Value: Livestock rarely eat ten-petal mentzelia but birds will consume the seeds.
FUN FACT: Collected by Lewis and Clark apparently on white bluffs near an Omaha Indian village along the Missouri River near the mouth of Bow Creek, Cedar Co., Nebraska, 25-26 Aug 1804. They called it Gumbo Lily.
Flower -
Plant location: Sighted in Cody Wyoming on Belfry Hwy on September 1, 2009. GPS coordinates: N44?31.943 W109?03.568, elevation 4984'.Plant -
Bloom season: July, August, September.Foliage -
Belfry Highway - Cody Wyoming - Spetember 1, 2009
Foliage macro -
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Belfry Highway - Cody Wyoming - Spetember 1, 2009
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Belfry Highway - Cody Wyoming - Spetember 1, 2009
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Belfry Highway - Cody Wyoming - Spetember 1, 2009
Filiments, anthers, and stigma. -
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