Adonis Blazing Star
Stick-leaf
Mentzelia multiflora
Pen & Ink illustration © by Michael Plagens from specimen observed at Gila Mountains, Yuma Co., Arizona, USA. 27 Feb. 1994. a) enlarged view of a flower after petals have fallen away revealing numerous stamens and persistent sepals, b) cross section of fruit, c) example of a petaloid stamen - one that is flattened and somewhat petal-like.
LEAVES: Leaves are covered with minute hooked hairs that allow the leaf
to readily adhere to clothing, etc. Wavy toothed elongate leaves.
FLOWERS: Bright yellow flowers with star-like arrangement of five or more
pointed petals appear late spring through fall. The numerous stamens are also bright yellow.
Staminoidea present.
FRUIT: Stiff, hooked hairs on fruit capsules also. Sepals remain attached at top of
inverted conical capsule containing many seeds.
RANGE: Grows especially in deep sandy desert washes. Fairly common
across the Sonoran Desert.
HERB: A robust mostly herbaceous plant sometimes more than
one meter tall.
UNARMED
