Taxon Report

Mentzelia pterosperma Eastw.

wing-seed blazing star

Print Report

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:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual/perennial herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun	Apr-Jun
Elevation:	1140-1140 (3740-3740)
General Habitats:	Mojavean desert scrub
Microhabitat:	Clay
Microhabitat Details:	gypseous

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Global Rank:	G4
State Rank:	S1S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	SB_CalBG/RSABG; SB_USDA
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12 added to 2.2 on 2006-12-21

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	7
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	2
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	4

Location


California Endemic: False
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)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	6
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	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%

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:

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 27 October 2025].