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El Paso County Wildflower Project - Bractless Blazing Star - David Bowers

Bractless Blazing Star

Known for its "vespertine" nature, the large, showy white-to-cream flowers usually open late in the afternoon or at dusk to attract nocturnal pollinators.

Bloom Season: July - August

Habitat: In the semi-arid environments and lower foothills of El Paso County, this plant is found in specific, lean habitats:
Soil: Well-drained, often dry and rocky or sandy soils.
Terrain: Dry gravelly ridges, hillsides, and steep roadside banks.
Sunlight: Open, sunny exposures

Photography Notes: Photographer-friendly

Credits: David Bowers, 6 July

Mentzelia nuda, the bractless blazingstar, is a species of flowering plant in the family Loasaceae.[3] Native to the plains of the United States east of the Rockies and west of the Mississippi River, it has been introduced to the state of Illinois.[2] It is a perennial reaching 90 cm (3 ft) with cream-colored flowers.[3]


El Paso County Wildflower Project - Bractless Blazing Star - David Bowers

Image Credit: David Bowers

Image Credit: David Bowers

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Bractless Blazing Star (native) is one of many wildflowers featured in the El Paso CO Wildflower Project, a community-built field guide documenting the wildflowers of El Paso County, Colorado.