Whitestem Blazing Star (Mentzelia albicaulis)

Family: Loasaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

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.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

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. — 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.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry, especially sandy soils, in desert valleys and foothills. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)