Mentzelia nitens
Shining blazing star
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Loasaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Mentzelia nitens (Shining blazing star) is a native California herb in the Loasaceae family, recognized by recurved seed flap like M. eremophila but smaller sepals.
Shining blazing star is a California native annual found in the northern Mojave Desert and southeastern California in sandy washes to rocky slopes at elevations of 400 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with orange-yellow bases, measuring 7 to 18 millimeters long and generally obovate in shape. Growing 4 to 34 centimeters tall with erect to decumbent stems that are glabrous to hairy, the plant displays variable growth patterns. Its leaves vary from toothed or lobed in the lower portions to entire or slightly lobed in the upper portions, typically measuring less than 15 centimeters in length. The fruit is generally curved, measuring 13 to 26 millimeters long, with distinctive tan seeds that have a conspicuous recurved flap over the attachment scar.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; recurved seed flap like M. eremophila but smaller sepals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy washes to rocky slopes
Elevation: 400-2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Imperial
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Mentzelia nitens 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 nitens native to California?
Yes. Mentzelia nitens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mentzelia nitens bloom?
Mentzelia nitens blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Mentzelia nitens grow?
Mentzelia nitens occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Imperial, at elevations of 400-2000 m.
What plant family does Mentzelia nitens belong to?
Mentzelia nitens is in the Loasaceae family, genus Mentzelia.
What habitat does Mentzelia nitens grow in?
Mentzelia nitens grows in Sandy washes to rocky slopes.
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.