Whitestem Blazingstar
Mentzelia albicaulis
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Stickpen
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Loasaceae
- Genus:
- Mentzelia
- Species:
- Mentzelia albicaulis
- USDA Symbol:
- MEAL6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify for 4-8 weeks.
Pre-treatment: Seeds were plated on 1.5% agar in petri dishes and incubated in growth chambers using six temperature treatments intended to represent different seed sowing times and locations.
Establishment: Additional research is needed to confirm the specific length of winter conditions needed to break dormancy and allow germination, and to determine how representative these results are of the entire species.
Source: npn.rngr.net