prairie wildflower
Lindley's blazingstar
Mentzelia lindleyi
Also known as Evening Star
1 of 2Native to California
Coast Ranges from Alameda county to Santa Clara county, east to western Stanislaus and Fresno counties; an occasional escape elsewhere
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
- Life cycle Annual Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its yellow flowers peak in May. At up to 2 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Lindley's blazingstar's yellow flowers bloom March to June, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws bees.
Lindley's blazingstar blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Yellow-faced Bumble Bee also Western Honey Bee, Bombus fervidus, Crotch's Bumble Bee
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coast Ranges from Alameda county to Santa Clara county, east to western Stanislaus and Fresno counties; an occasional escape elsewhereThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- AnnualWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Apr–JunThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.