Smoothstem blazingstar is an attractive native wildflower with edible seeds and a documented history of traditional use among Indigenous peoples of western North America. People can gather its seeds from mature capsules and process them into food, though their small size and papery wings make cleaning and preparation somewhat laborious. The species is particularly valuable as a dryland ornamental plant, with large golden-yellow flowers that attract pollinating insects. Its ability to grow on rocky, gravelly, and disturbed soils also makes it useful for native plant gardens and ecological restoration. The main limitations as a food resource are the processing effort required and the limited information about its flavor and nutritional composition. With an edibility rating of 3 out of 5, smoothstem blazingstar is a moderately useful traditional seed food and an excellent native wildflower for dry, open landscapes [2-3]. The seeds are the edible part of smoothstem blazingstar. They are flat, lens-shaped, and winged, resembling the seeds of bullet blazingstar (Mentzelia pumila) and dune blazingstar (Mentzelia multiflora). The seeds of these three species are similar in their edible qualities and harvesting requirements. People can collect the seeds from mature, dry capsules and process them for food. Light toasting or grinding into meal are possible preparations based on the documented uses of related edible blazingstars. However, detailed information about the flavor and traditional culinary preparation of Mentzelia laevicaulis is limited [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 3 out of 5 – Moderately useful edible seed plant [2-3]. Smoothstem blazingstar produces edible seeds that can be harvested from numerous capsules. Its relatively large size and abundant seed production may make it a useful seasonal resource where plants are common. However, the seeds are small, flat, and winged, and separating them from capsule fragments can be time-consuming. The rating is provisional because detailed species-specific information about flavor, nutritional value, and food preparation is limited. Taste and Preparation: Smoothstem blazingstar seeds are similar in structure to those of bullet and dune blazingstars. The seeds are flat, lens-shaped, and surrounded by thin wings. These wings give them a somewhat papery character. The supplied notes indicate that gathering and processing methods are broadly similar for these species. Gathering the Seeds: Seeds should be collected when the capsules are fully mature and dry. You can gather the capsules and break them apart to release their contents. Because the seeds are small and papery, separating them from capsule fragments may require careful rubbing, screening, or winnowing. Fully dry capsules are generally easier to process than those that still contain moisture. Toasting: Light toasting is a possible preparation method based on experience with related wing-seeded blazingstars. Toasting bullet blazingstar seeds develops a pleasant, pancake-like aroma, although their flavor is less distinctive. This observation should not automatically be applied to smoothstem blazingstar, whose flavor was not separately assessed in our field studies. Grinding: The seeds may also be ground into meal and incorporated into cooked foods, following general methods documented for edible blazingstars. The thin seed wings may contribute additional fibrous material to the meal. The suitability of different preparations depends on the maturity and cleanliness of the harvested seeds. Seasonality: Smoothstem blazingstar flowers from May to October, depending on elevation and local climate. Mature seeds can generally be expected from July to November. Some seeds may remain in the dry capsules into winter, extending the potential harvesting period. At lower elevations, flowering and seed maturation may occur earlier, while plants growing in cooler upland habitats may develop later. The best time to gather seeds is when the capsules have fully dried, and the seeds are mature. Unlike many annual desert wildflowers, smoothstem blazingstar is perennial and can survive for multiple growing seasons under suitable conditions [2-3]. Traditional Uses: Smoothstem blazingstar belongs to a genus with a substantial history of traditional seed use among Indigenous peoples of western North America. People gathered seeds from several Mentzelia species and processed them into flour, porridge, seed butter, and other foods. The field assessment supports its edible use by describing its seeds as similar to those of bullet and dune blazingstars. The plant should therefore be described as a reported edible seed resource rather than a well-documented traditional staple [2-3]. Safety: Smoothstem blazingstar seeds have a documented history of traditional food use. USDA Forest Service records indicate that the Paiute cooked the seeds in water to make gravy. However, correct identification remains important because some Mentzelia species are known to accumulate selenium. Ten-petal blazingstar (Mentzelia decapetala), for example, has been identified as a selenium-accumulating species. This does not establish that smoothstem blazingstar accumulates dangerous quantities of selenium, but it shows why edible uses should not automatically transfer between species. We do not have detailed nutritional or toxicological analyses of smoothstem blazingstar seeds. The rough, hooked hairs covering the leaves and parts of the stems can cling to clothing and skin, potentially causing mechanical irritation. Avoid gathering seeds from contaminated soils, mining areas, chemically treated land, or polluted roadsides [2-3].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


No documented evidence or formal scientific support for the clinical effectiveness of Mentzelia involucrata in medical treatment.

Smoothstem blazingstar suits native wildflower gardens, dryland landscaping, and ecological restoration projects. It is particularly useful on rocky slopes, disturbed ground, and sites with well-drained soils. The species is especially valuable as a dryland ornamental plant, with large golden-yellow flowers that attract pollinators. Its ability to grow on rocky, gravelly, and disturbed soils also makes it useful for native plant gardens and ecological restoration. Its large yellow flowers make it an attractive ornamental species, especially in naturalistic gardens. Smoothstem blazingstar is attractive to native pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and moths visit its large, golden-yellow flowers. The USDA Forest Service identifies it as an attractive flowering plant for these insects, although it is not generally a highly preferred forage species for livestock or wildlife. Its flowers provide an important seasonal resource in dry environments where flowering plants may be relatively sparse.

Special Uses