Mentzelia crocea
Saffron blazing star
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Family: Loasaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Mentzelia crocea (Saffron blazing star) is a native California herb in the Loasaceae family, recognized by largest size and flower dimensions in range.
Saffron blazing star is a California native annual found in the central Sierra Nevada Foothills and southern Sierra Nevada in rocky slopes, roadsides, grassland, and oak/pine woodland at elevations below 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with orange bases, 21 to 36 millimeters long and 8 to 17 millimeters wide in distinctive elliptic to obovate shapes. Growing with erect stems 34 to 100 centimeters tall that are notably hairy, it develops a complex branching structure. Its leaves vary distinctively from proximal lobed forms to distal toothed or lobed configurations, ranging from 1 to 40 centimeters in length. The fruit develops as an erect to slightly curved structure 20 to 35 millimeters long, containing irregularly rounded to angular tan seeds with dark mottling.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; largest size and flower dimensions in range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, roadsides, grassland, oak/pine woodland
Elevation: < 1700 m
California counties: Fresno, Tuolumne, Tulare, Mariposa
Bloom period
Mentzelia crocea blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Camissoniopsis: Mentzelia has many stamens and 3 stigmas; Camissoniopsis has 8 stamens and 4 stigmas.; vs Leptosiphon: Mentzelia has free petals and many stamens; Leptosiphon has fused petals forming a tube.; vs Emmenanthe: Mentzelia has free petals and 3 stigmas; Emmenanthe has fused bell-shaped petals.; vs Eschscholzia: Mentzelia has many stamens and 3 stigmas; Eschscholzia has many stamens and 4 stigmas.; vs Potentilla: Mentzelia has 3 stigmas and capsule fruit; Potentilla has many pistils and achene fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mentzelia crocea native to California?
Yes. Mentzelia crocea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mentzelia crocea bloom?
Mentzelia crocea blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Mentzelia crocea grow?
Mentzelia crocea occurs in Fresno, Tuolumne, Tulare, Mariposa, at elevations of < 1700 m.
What plant family does Mentzelia crocea belong to?
Mentzelia crocea is in the Loasaceae family, genus Mentzelia.
What habitat does Mentzelia crocea grow in?
Mentzelia crocea grows in Rocky slopes, roadsides, grassland, oak/pine woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.