Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses of North Dakota

Late-Summer Wildflowers

Chris Grondahl photo: Tenpetal blazingstar
Chris Grondahl Tenpetal blazingstar
(Mentzelia decapetala)
Distribution: central and western prairie
Habitat: dry, rocky hillsides
Flowers: 10 creamy colored petals, 2-3 inches long
Height: 20-40 inches
Blooms: July to September, opens late afternoon and closes by following morning
Family name: Stickleaf (Loasaceae)
Other names: Eveningstar, Chalklily, Tenpetal mentzelia
Plant uses and other interesting facts: This plant has very little ethnic importance. Like the yucca, a night flying moth is responsible for pollinating this plant.

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