Whitestem Blazing Star
Mentzelia albicaulis
Family: Loasaceae
What it is like
Mentzelia albicaulis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Dry, especially sandy soils, in desert valleys and foothills.
Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Seed - raw or cooked. The oily seed is parched and ground into a meal then mixed with water to make a mush. The seed meal can be kneaded into a seed butter and used as a spread on bread. The minute seeds are much used for food by several native North American Indian tribes.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
A poultice of the crushed, soaked seeds has been applied to burns and also to relieve the pain of toothache.
Odontalgic: Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and are not sure that it will succeed outdoors in Britain, though it should be possible to grow it as a half-hardy annual. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained soil in a warm sunny sheltered position.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist