Scientific Family
Loasaceae
Synonyms
Nuttallia pumila
Other common names
Golden Blazingstar
blazing star
dwarf blazingstar
mentzelia (dwarf)
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial
Height
8 to 16 inches
Riparian
Yes
Stout stems which are twisted, grayish to yellowish-white, striped with parallel, longitudinal lines or ridges; finely hairy with upward pointed barbed hairs, surface splitting and peeling away on older parts, flowers yellow, 10-petaled.
Stems solitary, erect, not branched from the base; branched above, branches directed upward; flowers bright yellow when fresh; 1 to 2 narrow bracts subtend the irregular, weak-angled sepals; outer stamens without anthers; capsules 2x as long as wide.
Habitat
Found on sandy soils, on slopes, plains and washes, often in dry stream beds and along roads.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
100
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers terminal, above 1 to 2 narrow bracts below sepals, petals 10, lance-like to broadened, tips rounded to pointed; sepals narrow, in 3 to 4 series, tip usually pointed, can be rounded; stamens in 2 whorls, 1 whorl petal-like, 1 has anthers.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Narrow to lance-like, irregularly toothed to highly dissected, both surfaces feel rough with stiff hairs, lower leaves short stemmed, upper without stalks and partially clasping.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Cylindrical fruit, 2x as long as wide; base tapers, rough to the touch, marked with ridges.
Fruit type
Capsule
Broadly winged.