Mentzelia reflexa
Reflexed blazing star
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Family: Loasaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Mentzelia reflexa (Reflexed blazing star) is a native California herb in the Loasaceae family, recognized by distinctive pale petals, reflexed fruits, and compressed white seeds.
Reflexed blazing star is a California native annual found in the Inyo Mountains and Mojave Desert on rocky slopes, washes, and roadsides at elevations below 1,524 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers with 8 petals approximately 6 to 12 millimeters long. Growing with erect stems 2 to 20 centimeters tall that are notably hairy, it has a delicate and compact form. Its leaves are lanceolate to ovate, measuring 1 to 10 centimeters long and featuring distinctive toothed edges. The fruit is cylindric to barrel-shaped, standing 9 to 13 millimeters tall with seeds that are ashy-white and uniquely compressed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; distinctive pale petals, reflexed fruits, and compressed white seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Washes, rocky slopes, roadsides
Elevation: < 1524 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono
Bloom period
Mentzelia reflexa 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 reflexa native to California?
Yes. Mentzelia reflexa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mentzelia reflexa bloom?
Mentzelia reflexa blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Mentzelia reflexa grow?
Mentzelia reflexa occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, at elevations of < 1524 m.
What plant family does Mentzelia reflexa belong to?
Mentzelia reflexa is in the Loasaceae family, genus Mentzelia.
What habitat does Mentzelia reflexa grow in?
Mentzelia reflexa grows in Washes, rocky slopes, roadsides.
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.