Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Mentzelia lindleyi, (Lindley's blazingstar, Evening Star, or Blazing Star) is an annual wildflower in the Loasaceae family. This family is comprised mainly of tropical species with only a few genera in California. Mentzelia lindleyi is found in the coast ranges of California and scattered locations elsewhere including Arizona, at elevations below 4,000 ft. It is a plant 1-2 feet tall with large, bright 5-petal flowers that resemble Dogwood or Flannelbush, although both are in different families. Flowers are up to 3 in. in diameter and contain numerous stamen. Individual plants can produce many flowers which open in the afternoon. It develops a taproot but is said to do well in containers.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

1 - 2 ft Tall
1 ft Wide

Growth rate

Fast

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 2x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium

Soil description

Performs best in sandy soil.
Soil PH: 7.0 - 8.0

Maintenance

Flowering season may be extended by deadheading

Propagation

By seed

Sunset Zones

4, 5, 6, 7*, 8, 9*, 10, 11, 14*, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Rocky, open slopes or flats, openings in woodlands

Plant communities

Coastal Sage Scrub, Escaped Cultivar, Foothill Woodland

Use in open areas between trees or shrubs such as Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Ceanothus spp., Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), Coffeeberry (Frangula spp.), Silktassel bush (Garrya), White Pitcher Sage (Lepechinia calycina), Mallow (Malacothamnus spp.), Bush Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus), Oaks (Quercus spp.), Currant/Gooseberry (Ribes spp.), and Nightshades (Solanum spp.)



Works well in a wildflower meadow garden with other annuals or perennials such as Lupine (Lupinus spp.), Poppies (Papaver spp. or Eschscholzia spp.), Owl's Clover (Castilleja exserta), Clarkia spp., Chinese Houses (Collinsia sp,), Gilia spp., and many others

Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 1 likely

Confirmed Likely

Protogygia album