
Its stunning scarlet flowers, actually bracts that hide. of bracts surrounding the plants many small, inconspicuous flowers. An annual or biennial, its vivid scarlet. Indian paintbrush is an attractive member of the parasitic Broomrape family (Orobancaceae). Indian Paintbrush itself is a host plant for several species of butterflies in the Checkerspot family. Common red paintbrush, giant red Indian paintbrush, scarlet paintbrush Castilleja. The most common one here is the Giant Red indian paintbrush, Castilleja miniata, which ranges north to Alaska. spiralis, Annual Paintbrush or California Threadtorch), which has thinner inflorescences and Castilleja foliosa or Woolly Paintbrush, with fuller inflorescences and leaves. Indian Paintbrush is a sought-after prairie beauty that prefers bright sites with medium-dry to medium-wet soils. There are many subspecies of this flower. Some related and similar-looking plants also found in our mountains are Castilleja martinii, which looks nearly the same Castilleja stenantha (or Castilleja minor ssp. The genus name Castilleja is in honor of the Spanish botany professor Domingo Castillejo, and affinis means 'related to'. As such, it is difficult to transplant or grow from seed.

This plant is semi-parasitic, most commonly gaining water and food from other plants' roots. The stem is woody and purplish in color, and the green leaves below the inflorescence are thin and lancelike. As a photo below illustrates, sometimes nature dips the brush in yellow paint instead of the most common red. What is normally taken for the 'flowers' on this plant - the (usually) scarlet brushy-looking tips - are really leaf bracts the true flowers inconspicuously mingle with the leaves in the spring. Castilleja coccinea, commonly called Indian paintbrush or painted cup, is a biennial member of the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) that typically grows on.


Normal blooming time is February to May, but the red inflorescence can be observed throughout the year. These plants can be potentially very toxic if the roots or green parts of the plant are consumed. Indian Paintbrush is a plant known to grow throughout most of the US. POLLINATORS The following animal species have been reported as pollinators of this plant species or its genus where their geographic ranges. The flowers of the Indian Paintbrush are edible and sweet and were consumed in moderation by various Native American tribes as a condiment with other fresh greens.
