About Mentzelia pectinata Kellogg
Mentzelia pectinata is an annual herb that grows an erect green stem reaching up to approximately half a meter in height. Its leaves form a basal rosette, with individual leaves here reaching up to 12 centimeters long and divided into distinct comblike lobes. Leaves growing higher up on the stem are reduced in size. The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers bearing petals that range in color from orange to yellow, reaching up to 2 centimeters long. Petals are often marked with red coloring near their bases. The center of each flower holds many whiskery stamens. The fruit is a narrow, straight utricle that grows up to 3.5 centimeters long, and contains many tiny, angular seeds. This species is endemic to California. It grows in hills and mountain ranges on both sides of the San Joaquin Valley, including the Temblor Range, the Tehachapi Mountains, and the southern Sierra Nevada. Its native habitat includes grassy slopes, woodlands, and other local habitat types.
