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northwestern Indian paintbrush

Scientific Name: Castilleja angustifolia

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja)

Castilleja, commonly known as Indian paintbrush or prairie-fire, is a genus containing approximately 200 species. Several species and subspecies are highlighted in the provided texts, predominantly focusing on the Northwestern Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia).

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that Indian paintbrush grows in clumps of erect stems, which could be tempting for pets to chew on.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Castilleja
  • Common Names: Indian paintbrush, prairie-fire
  • Species Highlighted:
    • Castilleja angustifolia (Northwestern Indian Paintbrush, Desert Indian Paintbrush)
    • Castilleja chromosa (synonym for Castilleja angustifolia)
    • Castilleja angustifolia var. dubia (Showy Northwestern Indian-paintbrush)
    • Castilleja applegatei ssp. martinii (Wavyleaf Indian paintbrush)
    • Castilleja pilosa var.
    • Castilleja levisecta (Golden Indian Paintbrush)
    • Castilleja gracillima (Slender Indian Paintbrush)
  • Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape family)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Indian paintbrush species are found throughout the American West and Southwest, including the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin National Park (Nevada), and areas within Colorado and Montana.
  • They are also found in British Columbia, Canada and as far west as the Kola Peninsula in northwestern Russia.
  • Specific locations mentioned include Glacier National Park, Tunjony Pass (Northwestern British Columbia), and Steens Mountain (southeastern Oregon, northwestern Nevada).

Morphological Characteristics

  • The plants can grow to under half a meter in height.
  • They exhibit bristly gray-green to purple-red herbage.
  • The plant stands in a clump of erect stems.
  • What appear to be flowers are actually leaf-like bracts.

Ecological Role

  • Indian paintbrush is mentioned as being parasitic.
  • It is also mentioned that in the Pacific Northwest, Indian paintbrush often appears in lupine fields and lupines have some sort of symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing.
  • Golden Indian paintbrush (Castillija levisecta) is listed as a threatened species.

Propagation

  • Indian paintbrush seed may require a cold, wet period in the winter to germinate.

Resources and Further Information

  • NCBI Taxonomy
  • Dave's Garden