Mentzelia laevicaulis is a showy biennial or short-lived perennial wildflower native to western North America.

[3] This is a widespread plant which can be found in sandy, rocky, and disturbed areas, such as roadsides.

The whitish-green stem and its lateral branches bear the occasional triangular sawtoothed leaf.

The star-shaped flower has five narrow, pointed petals with shiny yellow surfaces, each up to 3 inches long.

The center of the open-faced flower is filled with a great many whiskery yellow stamens.