SafePlants

Mountainside Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja crista-galli)

The Mountainside Indian Paintbrush, scientifically known as Castilleja crista-galli, is a captivating wildflower belonging to the genus Castilleja, which includes approximately 200 species.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Castilleja crista-galli Rydb.
• Common Names: Mountainside Indian Paintbrush, Indian Paintbrush, Prairie-fire
• Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape family)
• Rank: Species
• Synonyms/Related Species:
  • Castilleja annua Pennell - Fairbanks annual Indian paintbrush
  • Castilleja applegatei
  • Castilleja covilleana Henderson - Coville's Indian Paintbrush
  • Castilleja angustifolia var. angustifolia - Northwestern Indian Paintbrush

Considerations for Pets

• The text identifies Castilleja crista-galli as a subshrub forb/herb, suggesting the presence of plant material that might be tempting for pets to ingest.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the western regions.
• Frequently found on mountainsides and in alpine meadows.
• Observed in locations such as Wyoming (State Wildflower), Yellowstone National Park, Colorado, and Utah.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Perennial subshrub forb/herb.
• Medium in size, reaching up to 14 meters in height according to one source (though this height seems unusually large for this plant).
• Assumes a pink coloring in the spring.

Ecological Role

• The text mentions that transplanting Indian Paintbrush may kill it and that it has a reputation for being unpredictable, suggesting potential challenges in cultivation and propagation.

Quirky Facts

• Mountainside Indian Paintbrush is the State Wildflower of Wyoming.

Further Information

• Discover Life offers a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Castilleja crista-galli.
• Pinterest features numerous images and information related to Indian Paintbrush.