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denseflower Indian paintbrush
Scientific Name: Castilleja densiflora
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja spp.)
The term "Indian Paintbrush" refers to a genus of herbaceous plants (Castilleja), also known as prairie fire or painted cup. The flowers are noted for their densely packed spikes of hooded flowers with brightly colored bracts, often mistaken for the flower petals themselves.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- The plants often grow in dense spikes.
- The flowers of Indian Paintbrush are edible and have been consumed by Native American tribes.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Castilleja
- Family: Orobanchaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae)
- Species Examples:
- Castilleja ambigua ssp. humboldtiiensis (Wight's Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja coccinea (Scarlet Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja densiflora (Dense-flowered Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja densiflora ssp. gracilis (Dense Flower Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja gracillima (Slender Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja indivisa
- Castilleja arvensis (Field Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja lanata (Sierra Woolly Indian Paintbrush or Woolly Paintbrush)
- Castilleja affinis (Coast Indian Paintbrush)
- Common Names: Indian Paintbrush, Red Indian Paintbrush, Harsh Paintbrush, Cliff Paintbrush, Painted Cup, Scarlet Painted-Cup, Prairie Fire, Texas Indian Paintbrush, Entireleaf Indian Paintbrush, Texas Paintbrush, Wholeleaf Indian Paintbrush, Sierra Woolly Indian Paintbrush, Woolly Paintbrush.
- Synonyms: Painted Cup.
Distribution and Habitat
- Indian Paintbrush is native to North America.
- They are found in various habitats, including alvars, moist areas, meadows, and regions near the ocean.
- Specific locations mentioned include California (Orange County, Carrizo Plain), Minnesota, Montana, Texas, and New England.
Morphological Characteristics
- Indian Paintbrush species can be perennial, biennial, or annual herbs, growing 15-60 cm high.
- The plants have alternate leaves.
- The "flowers" are actually dense, bracted spikes, where the brightly colored bracts (modified leaves) surround the true, often inconspicuous, flowers. The true flowers are whitish green or yellow.
- Bracts can be scarlet-tipped, fan-shaped, or deeply 3-5-lobed.
- Some species, like Castilleja lanata, have leaves densely covered with matted, flattened hairs.
- Stems can be erect and densely hairy.
Ecological Role
- Some Indian Paintbrush species are hemiparasitic, meaning they can obtain nutrients by connecting their roots to those of other plants.
- They can be found as partial root parasites of nearby plants.
- Elk are known to relish the flowers and seedpods.