SafePlants

Northwestern Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia)

The plant commonly known as Indian paintbrush or prairie-fire belongs to the genus Castilleja, which includes approximately 200 species. One well-known species is Castilleja angustifolia, also called Northwestern Indian Paintbrush or Desert Indian Paintbrush.

Considerations for Pets

• The provided text does not explicitly mention toxicity. However, it refers to bristly herbage on the plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Castilleja angustifolia
• Common Names: Northwestern Indian Paintbrush, Desert Indian Paintbrush, Indian Paintbrush, Red Indian Paintbrush, Harsh Paintbrush, Cliff Paintbrush, Steens Mountain Paintbrush, Steenes Indian Paintbrush
• Synonym: Castilleja chromosa
• Variety: Castilleja angustifolia var. dubia, Castilleja angustifolia var. angustifolia, Castilleja pilosa var.
• Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape family)

Distribution and Habitat

• The Indian Paintbrush can be found throughout the Northwest, including the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin National Park (Nevada), Northwestern Wyoming, Northwestern British Columbia (Canada), and as far west as the Kola Peninsula in northwestern Russia.
• Specific locations mentioned include: Glacier National Park's mountains, Colorado (though the columbine is the state flower), southeastern Oregon, and northwestern Nevada (below 2000 meters).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The plant can grow to under half a meter in height.
• It features bristly gray-green to purple-red herbage.
• It grows in clumps of erect stems.

Ecological Role

• Some species, like the golden Indian paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta), are threatened.
• Indian paintbrush often appears in lupine fields in the Pacific Northwest, suggesting a symbiotic relationship, possibly related to nitrogen-fixing.
• The text indicates that there are many different kinds of parasitic plants in the Pacific Northwest.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• In the Pacific Northwest, Indian Paintbrush often grows alongside lupines, potentially engaging in a symbiotic relationship related to nitrogen fixation.

Quirky Facts

• What appear to be the "paintbrush" or flowers are actually leaf-like bracts.
• Indian Paintbrush seed may require a cold wet period in the winter to germinate.

Further Resources

• Discover Life
• NCBI Taxonomy