Mentzelia pumila - (Nutt.)Torr.&A.Gray.
(Nutt.)Torr.&A.Gray.
Dwarf Mentzelia
gbif· cc0
Texas Tech University, E. L. Reed Herbarium (TTC-)
gbif· cc-by-nc
wingedchimera
gbif· cc-by-nc
Desert Botanical Garden Herbarium (DES-)
Description
Mentzelia pumila is a PERENNIAL. 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 Uses
Seed - raw or cooked. They are parched and ground into a meal. This use has not been verified.
Medicinal Uses
Odontalgic. The plant is used as a toothache medicine. The root is laxative. It is dried, ground into a powder and inserted as a suppository in the rectum to treat constipation.
Distribution
Western N. America.
Where It Grows
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah), Mexico (Coahuila de Zaragoza, Sonora)
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, nor are we sure if it is an annual or a perennial. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained soil in a warm sunny sheltered position.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks.
