evening-star
Mentzelia decapetala (Sims) Urb.
Mentzelia decapetala (Sims) Urb., known as evening-star, is a biennial or short-lived perennial with large white flowers that bloom at night. It is native to dry areas of the western Great Plains in the United States and southern Canada. The species is distinguished by its apparent ten petals, a feature unique among the Mentzelia genus.
Description
Mentzelia decapetala belongs to the Loasaceae family and is found in regions including Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. The species was first described in 1892. Its scientific name and common names refer to the ten-petaled appearance of the flowers, which are composed of wide staminodes. This plant is adapted to arid environments and is a notable member of the western Great Plains flora.
Other common names
evening-starten-petal blazingstargumbo-lilysand-lilyten-petalled blazing starten-petalled evening starten-petalled stickleaften-petalled western startenpetal blazingstar
Distribution
Alberta · Manitoba · Saskatchewan · Colorado · Illinois · Iowa · Kansas · Minnesota · Montana · Nebraska · New Mexico · Oklahoma · South Dakota · Texas · Utah · Wyoming
Synonyms
Bartonia decapetalaBartonia ornataNuttallia decapetalaMentzelia ornataHesperaster decapetalusTouterea decapetalaTouterea ornataTorreya ornata
