Taxon Details

Mentzelia pterosperma

wing-seed blazing star

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Taxon Summary:

Mentzelia pterosperma, commonly known as wing-seed blazing star, is a annual/perennial herb in the Loasaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Mojavean desert scrub, growing at elevations from 1140 to 1140 meters. Mentzelia pterosperma is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification

Scientific Name: Mentzelia pterosperma Eastw.
Common Name: wing-seed blazing star
Family:	Loasaceae
Element Code:	PDLOA031E0
USDA Plants Symbol:	MEPT
Synonyms/Other Names:
Name Status:	JEF, FNA, POWO, IPNI, Tropicos

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Fed List:	None
State List:	None
Global Rank:	G4
State Rank:	S1S2
Other Status:	SB_CalBG/RSABG; SB_USDA
CRPR Changes: added to 2.2 on 2006-12-21
Add Date:	2006-12-21
Date Edited:	2022-03-01

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual/perennial herb

Blooming Period: Apr-Jun

Elevation:
1140 - 1140 meters
3740 - 3740 feet

General Habitats:

Mojavean desert scrub

Microhabitat Details: gypseous

Microhabitat:

Clay

Notes

Notes: Known in California only from the Valley Wells area of San Bernardino County. Potentially threatened by road construction, road maintenance, and hydrological alterations. See Proceedings of the California Academy II, 6: 290 (1896) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

THREAT LIST:
Threat List Total:	6
	Total EOs	% of EOs
EOs with Threat Listed:	4	57 %
Non-native plant impacts	3	42%
ORV activity	2	28%
Other	1	14%
Road/trail construction/maint.	1	14%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime	1	14%
Grazing	1	14%

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Element Occurrence Ranks:
Total Occurrences:					7
A	B	C	D	X	U
0	1	2	0	0	4

Occurrence Status:
Historical >20 Years	3
Recent <=20 Years	4

Presence:
Presumed Extant	7
Possibly Extirpated	0
Presumed Extirpated	0

Location

California Endemic:

California Island:

States: Name (Code)
Arizona (AZ), California (CA), Nevada (NV), Utah (UT)

California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY), San Bernardino (SBD)

Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Calvada Springs (3511588), Clark Mtn. (3511555), Mesquite Lake (3511565), Nopah Peak (3611611), Pachalka Spring (3511556), Valley Wells (3511546)

Notes:

Definitions of codes following a county and/or quad:
*		Presumed extirpated
(?)		Occurrence confirmed, but possibly extirpated
Quad and county data is imported from the CNDDB. Species may be present in other areas where conditions are favorable. These data should NOT be substituted for pre-project review or for on-site surveys.

Regional Map

Map

Presumed Extant

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CNPS Rare Plant Inventory