Mentzelia nitens – “Shining Blazing Star”

Also Known As: Venus Blazing Star
Family: Loasa (Loasaceae)
Bloom Period: Apr-Jun
Form: Annual herb
Habitat: Washes, canyons, sandy or gravelly soils
Leaves: Linear, pinnately-lobed, less deeply lobed as leaves climb stem; basal rosette
Translation: “Mentzelia” is named for Christian Mentzel (1622-1701), German botanist and philologist; “nitens” is Latin for “shining,” and describes the bright flowers.
Native American Uses: Native Americans used many other species of Mentzelia for food and medicine, but I was unable to find a reference to this particular species.