​Adonis Blazingstar, Manyflowered Mentzelia, Desert Blazingstar, Pegapega, Buena Mujer, Mentzelia multiflora,Stickleaf Family (Loasaceae)

The Bloom Blog
Blooming this week in the environs of Abiquiú
By Wildflowers of the Southern Rocky Mountains

Image Courtesy of John George

Found at roadsides and in dry, sandy areas
Seen blooming in July near Hwy 554

Blazingstars are also called Eveningstars because they do not open until late in the afternoon, this photo was taken at 7.30 pm. During the day their flowers are tightly closed so easily overlooked. They are in the Stickleaf family, so named because their leaves have barbed hairs and stick to clothing and fur like Velcro. It grows to 2 ½ feet tall with stout white branched stems.  Flowers are 2" across with long yellow stamens. Flowers can be bright yellow, but I mostly see pale yellow, almost white flowers in this area. Traditionally, the seeds have been eaten raw or ground into a meal. Medicinally it has been used to treat tuberculosis, as a diuretic, a laxative and as a pain reliever for rheumatism and toothaches. Tewa Indians had one of the most interesting uses for the Blazingstar. When a young boy was old enough to ride a horse for the first time, the Tewa would rub the leaves of the plant over the boy’s skin. He would then dress and mount the horse. The sticky plant substance was used to help with the boy’s grip and enable him to ride without falling off. Source.
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If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.