Yellowcomet facts for kids

Mentzelia affinis is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the plant family called Loasaceae. People often call it the yellowcomet because of its bright yellow flowers.

This plant grows naturally in the southern parts of California and Arizona. You can also find it in nearby areas of Nevada and Baja California (Mexico). It likes to grow in many places, like dry scrublands, forests, and sandy desert areas.

About the Yellowcomet Plant

What it Looks Like

The yellowcomet is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. It stands upright and can grow to different heights. Some plants are as small as 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) tall. Others can reach up to half a meter (about 20 inches) tall.

The leaves near the bottom of the plant form a circle, like a rosette. These leaves can be up to 17 centimeters (about 7 inches) long. They are often divided into sections, like fingers, and sometimes have small teeth along their edges. The leaves higher up on the plant are usually smaller.

Its Flowers and Seeds

The yellowcomet flower has five bright, shiny yellow petals. Each petal has a small orange spot right at its base. The tips of the petals are often jagged or notched, which means they have small cuts or indentations.

After the flower blooms, it produces a fruit. This fruit is called a utricle. It is long, narrow, and curves slightly, measuring about 1 to 3 centimeters (less than an inch) in length. Inside this fruit, you will find many tiny seeds. These seeds are shaped like small prisms, which means they have flat sides and sharp edges, like tiny crystals.