Mentzelia albicaulis
Whitestem blazingstar
Overview
Mentzelia albicaulis is a slender annual reaching 2-16 inches (5-40 cm) tall, with shiny white to straw-colored stems that branch from the base. Leaves are narrow, 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, and pinnately lobed, their surfaces covered in barbed hairs that cling to fur and clothing. The five-petaled flowers are 0.2-0.5 inch (5-12 mm) across, glossy yellow, and open in morning sunlight, closing by afternoon. Each flower is followed by a narrow, curved seed capsule holding grooved gray seeds. As a desert annual it germinates with fall or winter rain, grows quickly, flowers in spring, and dies as soils dry in early summer, completing its cycle in a single season. Plants are small and easily overlooked except when in flower. Numbers swing widely from year to year with rainfall, with dense displays in wet springs and near absence in dry ones.
Native Range
Native to western North America, from British Columbia south through the Great Basin and Mojave deserts to California, Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Grows in open sandy and gravelly soils of desert scrub, sagebrush flats, and washes below 7,500 feet (2,300 m).Suggested Uses
Used in native seed mixes, desert restoration, and wildflower plantings on dry open ground in arid regions. The flowers draw native bees, and the seeds feed ants, small mammals, and birds. Its small size and short bloom make it less suited to formal beds, where its effect depends on massing on bare soil.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 1'4"
Width/Spread2" - 8"
Bloom Information
Flowers from March through June, with timing and abundance set by winter rainfall. Flowers open in morning sun and close by midday, each lasting only a day or two. Bloom is brief and may be skipped entirely in dry years.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
A desert annual grown from seed sown in fall on open, sharp-draining sandy or gravelly soil in full sun. Seedlings depend on winter moisture, while mature plants tolerate heat and drought. Rich soil and irrigation are unnecessary and encourage weak growth. The species self-sows where ground stays bare and is crowded out by dense vegetation. Serious pests rarely affect it. Plants die after seeding, and renewal depends on the soil seed bank.Pruning
No pruning is needed for this small annual. Spent plants can be left in place to drop seed or cleared once dry. Leaving seedheads supports the next season stand.✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow