Chama Blazing Star, Remarkable Blazing Star, Mentzelia conspicua, Stickleaf Family (Loasaceae)

Found by roadsides, on barren slopes, in pinyon-juniper woodland
Seen blooming in August on FS Rd 151 in the Chama River Valley
The recent monsoon rains have made many spring flowers bloom again, like the Spiny Blue Bowls, Red Bluets and Spectacle Pods. This is also the time for the Blazing Stars which do not open until late in the afternoon, during the day their flowers are tightly closed so are easily overlooked. Several species grow in the area but the Chama Blazing Star grows only in the Upper Chama River Basin and is listed as a New Mexico Rare Plant. It grows to 2 feet tall with branched white stems and rough leaves. The leaves are narrow with deeply cut teeth and are green on the upper surface with barbed hairs that stick to clothing and fur like Velcro. Flowers are bright golden yellow and solitary at the end of the branches. They are more than 2 inches across with 10 petals and long stamens.

If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website send a photo and where you took it to contact@rockymountainsflora.com. Read online for tips.