Mentzelia paradoxensis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mentzelia paradoxensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Along Colorado State Highway 90 in Paradox Valley | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Cornales |
| Family: | Loasaceae |
| Genus: | Mentzelia |
| Species: | M. paradoxensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Mentzelia paradoxensis J.J.Schenk & L.Hufford | |
Mentzelia paradoxensis, also known as the Paradox Valley blazingstar, is a species of plant that is endemic to western Colorado in the Paradox and Gypsum valleys.
Paradox Valley blazingstar is a biennial or short-lived perennial herbaceous plant with a taproot.[2][3] They have a single, straight stem, that can branch near its end or along its entire length. The side branches grow outwards and then upwards in parallel to the central stem.[3] Branches can more or less reach the same height as the main stem,[4] the whole plant growing 40 to 90 centimeters (16 to 35 in) tall.[2]
Taxonomy and names
Mentzelia paradoxensis was scientifically described in 2010 by John J. Schenk and Larry Hufford. It is part of the Mentzelia genus classified in the family Loasaceae. It has no botanical synonyms.[5] Its species name refers to the Paradox Valley.[6] It is similarly known by the common names Paradox Valley blazingstar or Paradox stickleaf.[4][1]
