Mentzelia micrantha
Chaparral blazing star
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Family: Loasaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Mentzelia micrantha (Chaparral blazing star) is a native California herb in the Loasaceae family, recognized by smallest petals and few seeds in single row.
Chaparral blazing star is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, central western, and southwestern California in open, recently-burned or disturbed chaparral and oak woodland at elevations below 2,256 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with distinctive ovate petals 2.5 to 4.5 millimeters long. Growing 10 to 80 centimeters tall with erect, hairy stems, it forms an upright and somewhat delicate structure. Its leaves are 1 to 18 centimeters long, irregularly dentate, wavy, or lobed, creating a complex and textured foliage. The fruit is an erect to slightly curved cylindric capsule 6 to 13 millimeters long, containing 5 to 10 tan and dark-mottled seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; smallest petals and few seeds in single row
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, generally recently-burned or disturbed chaparral and oak woodland
Elevation: < 2256 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Lake, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Monterey, Santa Clara, Tulare, Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, Glenn, Mendocino, Shasta, Tehama, Plumas, Yolo, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Colusa, Trinity, Napa, Kings, Fresno, Sonoma
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Mentzelia micrantha blooms Apr-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 micrantha native to California?
Yes. Mentzelia micrantha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mentzelia micrantha bloom?
Mentzelia micrantha blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Mentzelia micrantha grow?
Mentzelia micrantha occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Lake, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of < 2256 m.
What plant family does Mentzelia micrantha belong to?
Mentzelia micrantha is in the Loasaceae family, genus Mentzelia.
What habitat does Mentzelia micrantha grow in?
Mentzelia micrantha grows in Open, generally recently-burned or disturbed chaparral and 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.