Mentzelia gracilenta
Blazing star
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Loasaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Mentzelia gracilenta (Blazing star) is a native California herb in the Loasaceae family, recognized by white-based bracts and larger seeds.
Blazing star is a California native annual found in southern San Francisco Bay, southern Coast Ranges, western Transverse Ranges, and western southern Great Basin in grasslands and pine/oak woodlands at elevations of 200 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with orange bases, measuring 8 to 18 millimeters long and creating a vibrant display. Growing with erect, hairy stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall, the plant displays an open, delicate structure. Its lower leaves are distinctly lobed while upper leaves remain entire or slightly lobed, ranging from 2 to 13 centimeters in length. The fruit is an upright to slightly curved capsule 9 to 15 millimeters long, containing irregularly angular seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; white-based bracts and larger seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally unproductive substrates, including serpentine and calcium-rich soils, grassland to pine/oak woodland
Elevation: 200-1700 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, Stanislaus, Inyo, San Diego, Fresno, Sierra
Bloom period
Mentzelia gracilenta blooms Apr-May.
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 gracilenta native to California?
Yes. Mentzelia gracilenta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mentzelia gracilenta bloom?
Mentzelia gracilenta blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Mentzelia gracilenta grow?
Mentzelia gracilenta occurs in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and other counties, at elevations of 200-1700 m.
What plant family does Mentzelia gracilenta belong to?
Mentzelia gracilenta is in the Loasaceae family, genus Mentzelia.
What habitat does Mentzelia gracilenta grow in?
Mentzelia gracilenta grows in Generally unproductive substrates, including serpentine and calcium-rich soils, grassland to pine/oak 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.