Mentzelia pectinata var. chrysopetala

Obispo blazing star

Family: Loasaceae · Type: annual · Native

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.

Habitat: Slopes of sandy to gray-white, calcium-rich soils, grassland to oak woodland

Bloom period: Mar-May

Elevation: < 800 m

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.