Mentzelia micrantha, commonly known as San Luis blazingstar, is an annual herb native to the coastal mountain ranges of western North America, specifically from the San Francisco Bay Area to Baja California. It is typically found in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and on rocky slopes, often in areas that have recently burned. San Luis blazingstar reaches up to 31.5 inches in height and features lanceolate, toothed leaves along its stems. The inflorescence is a cyme with clusters of small, yet showy, yellow flowers that bloom in the summer. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous tiny, pyramidal seeds that are dispersed by wind.

San Luis blazingstar is valued for its bright yellow flowers that add a splash of color to wildflower gardens, restoration projects, and xeriscaping. It is adapted to dry, well-drained soils and thrives in full sun, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners in arid regions. While it is not commonly used in traditional garden settings, its drought tolerance and attractive flowers make it a potential candidate for naturalistic plantings and pollinator gardens. It has no major disease problems, but it may not compete well with aggressive plants or in overly fertile soils.CC BY-SA 4.0