Mentzelia desertorum
Desert blazing star
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Loasaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Mentzelia desertorum (Desert blazing star) is a native California herb in the Loasaceae family, recognized by distinctive pale seeds with flat-surfaced coat cells.
Desert blazing star is a California native annual found in the Mojave Desert (Bioregion D) on sandy flats in creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 950 meters. Flowering from February to March, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with yellow to orange bases, petals 2.5 to 6 millimeters long, creating delicate star-like blooms. Growing 5 to 41 centimeters tall with erect stems that range from smooth to hairy, it develops a slender, upright form. Its leaves vary from 1 to 12 centimeters long, with lower leaves showing notable tooth-like lobes while upper leaves remain more entire. The fruit develops as a slightly curved structure 12 to 27 millimeters long, bearing tan seeds with irregular rounded shapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; distinctive pale seeds with flat-surfaced coat cells
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy flats in creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 950 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Mentzelia desertorum blooms Feb-Mar.
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 desertorum native to California?
Yes. Mentzelia desertorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mentzelia desertorum bloom?
Mentzelia desertorum blooms Feb-Mar.
What plant family does Mentzelia desertorum belong to?
Mentzelia desertorum is in the Loasaceae family, genus Mentzelia.
What habitat does Mentzelia desertorum grow in?
Mentzelia desertorum grows in Sandy flats in creosote-bush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.