Adonis blazingstar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adonis blazingstar |
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| Adonis blazingstar | |
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Mentzelia
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multiflora
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The Mentzelia multiflora, also known as Adonis blazingstar, is a beautiful wild plant. People also call it Adonis stickleaf or desert blazingstar. It is a type of herb that grows back every year, meaning it's a perennial plant. It belongs to the plant family called Loasaceae.
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Where it Lives
The Adonis blazingstar grows naturally in the western United States and parts of northwestern Mexico. You can find it from states like Montana and North Dakota in the Great Plains. It grows south through Texas and Southern California. You can also find it in Mexican states like Sonora and Chihuahua.
This plant loves dry, sandy soil that drains water well. It needs lots of direct sunlight to grow. You won't find it growing in shady spots.
What it Looks Like
The Mentzelia multiflora usually grows to be about 2–2.5 feet (0.61–0.76 m) tall. It has shiny white stems and many branches. Its bright green leaves are a bit sticky. They are covered with tiny hairs that have very small barbs.
The flowers are about 5 cm (2.0 in) across. They are bright yellow and usually have ten petals. These interesting flowers open in the late afternoon. Then, they close up again in the morning. The plant has both male and female parts in the same flower. It blooms from July to August.
Plant Family and Name
The plant was first described by two botanists, Thomas Nuttall and Asa Gray. It is part of a group of plants called "blazingstars." All these plants belong to the genus Mentzelia, which are often called "stickleafs."
How People Use It
Traditional Medicine
Native American people, especially the Navajo people, have used this plant for medicine. They used it to help with toothaches. It was also used as a diuretic, which helps the body get rid of extra water. The roots and leaves were even used to treat tuberculosis.
Gardens
People also grow the Adonis blazingstar as an ornamental plant. This means it's grown because it looks pretty. It's a popular wildflower to plant in special gardens.
