Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala
Obispo blazing star
(c) Steve Berardi, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Loasaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala (Obispo blazing star) is a native California annual in the Loasaceae family, recognized by bright yellow petals vs coppery orange of var. pectinata.
Obispo blazing star is a California native annual found in coastal and central California regions on slopes with sandy to calcium-rich soils in grassland and oak woodland areas at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with striking yellow or orange bases that occasionally display rare coppery orange tones with dark-orange to red bases. Growing with delicate stems typical of annual wildflowers, it spreads across its grassland habitat in slender, open clusters. Its finely structured leaves complement the plant's elegant flowering form, contributing to its distinctive appearance in California's coastal landscapes. The plant's unique petal coloration and habitat specificity make it a notable member of California's native annual wildflower community.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; bright yellow petals vs coppery orange of var. pectinata
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes of sandy to gray-white, calcium-rich soils, grassland to oak woodland
Elevation: < 800 m
Bloom period
Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala blooms Mar-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 pectinata var. chrysopetala native to California?
Yes. Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala bloom?
Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala belong to?
Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala is in the Loasaceae family, genus Mentzelia.
What habitat does Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala grow in?
Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala grows in Slopes of sandy to gray-white, calcium-rich soils, grassland to oak woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.