LOASA FAMILY 



(Loasacece) 



Herbaceous plants, often with rough, hooked hairs. Leaves 

 alternate. Stamens very numerous, inserted with the 5 or 10 

 petals upon the calyx throat, the outer tending to be petal- 

 like. The seed-vessels crowned with the persistent calyx lobes. 



BLAZING STAR (Mentzelia Lindleyi, T. and G). Flowers 

 showy, opening toward evening, 3 inches or more in diameter, 

 golden yellow, the five petals silken of texture and terminating 

 in pointed tips, the many stamens making a conspicuous 

 tufted centre to the flower. Leaves ovate or lanceolate, wavy- 

 toothed. An annual plant 2 to 3 feet high with glistening 

 yellow stems, blooming in summer in the mountains of Cen- 

 tral California. 



There are half a dozen or more species of Mentzelia indi- 

 genous to the Pacific Coast, but the genus is fairly well marked 

 by its characteristic shining stems, conspicuous clustered stam- 

 ens, and the top-shaped calyx with its five noticeable lobes. 

 The barbed hairs that clothe the plants cause them to cling to 

 one's dothing, on which account, Spanish speaking people have 

 humorously given it the name Buena Mujer, good woman. 

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