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Mentzelia lindleyi (Lindley's blazingstar)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Mentzelia lindleyi Torr. & Gray

Lindley's blazingstar, Evening star

Loasaceae (Blazingstar Family)

USDA Symbol: MELI4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

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.

Lindleys 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

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

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.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

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 Collection: Not Available
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 either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

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: 2012-07-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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