Taxon Report

Mentzelia polita A. Nels.

polished blazing star

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Mentzelia polita, commonly known as polished blazing star, is a perennial herb in the Loasaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Mojavean desert scrub, growing at elevations from 1200 to 1580 meters. Mentzelia polita is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Mentzelia polita A. Nels.
Common Name:
 polished blazing star
Family: Loasaceae
Element Code: PDLOA03310
USDA Plants Symbol: MEPO2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Aug Apr-Aug
Elevation: 1200-1580 (3935-5185)
General Habitats: Mojavean desert scrub
Microhabitat: Carbonate
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.2
Global Rank: G2G3
State Rank:
 S2?
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:
  • added to 1B.2 on 2006-12-21

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 11
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 4
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 6

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY), San Bernardino (SBD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Clark Mtn. (3511555), Ivanpah Lake (3511554), Nova Canyon (3611733), Pachalka Spring (3511556), Panamint Butte (3611743), State Line Pass (3511564)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 2
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
2 18 %
Foot traffic/trampling 2 18%
Non-native plant impacts 2 18%

Notes
Known in California only from the Clark Mountains area of San Bernardino County. Potentially threatened by transmission line development. See Botanical Gazette 47: 427 (1909) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2006-12-21
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 4 November 2025].