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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Mentzelia lindleyi

Mentzelia lindleyi Torr. & A. Gray

Lindley's Blazingstar, Evening Star

Loasaceae (Loasa Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: MELI4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A single-stalked or branched and straggling annual, 1-2 ft. high, with hairy, dandelion-like leaves scattered along the hairy stems. Bright-yellow, fragrant flowers with numerous stamens are borne in terminal racemes. The 5-petaled, star-shaped flowers come out in the evening and usually close by noon of the next day.

Lindley's Blazingstar will tolerate heat, wind, and poor soils as long the drainage is good, otherwise the plants are prone to root rot. This species is most attractive when planted in large areas, rather than confined to small spaces. Mentzelia crocea is similar, occuring on exposed rocky sites in the central and southern Sierra foothills.

From the Image Gallery

9 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Coast Ranges from Alameda Co. to Santa Clara Co., e. to w. Stanislaus & Fresno Cos.; an occasional escape elsewhere
Native Habitat: Rocky slopes below 2500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Ssp. crocea is similar, occuring on exposed rocky sites in the c. & s. Sierra foothills. Blazing star will tolerate heat, wind, and poor soils as long the drainage is good, otherwise the plants are prone to root rot. This species is most attractive when planted in large areas, rather than confined to small spaces.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed sown in late fall or early winter.
Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Mentzelia lindleyi in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Mentzelia lindleyi in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mentzelia lindleyi

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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