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yellow Indian paintbrush
Scientific Name: Castilleja flava
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja)
The genus Castilleja, commonly known as Indian paintbrush or prairie-fire, encompasses approximately 200 species. These wildflowers are celebrated for their vibrant colors and unique floral structures.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Castilleja Mutis ex L. f.
- Common Names: Indian Paintbrush, Prairie-fire.
- Family: Figwort (Orobanchaceae), also previously classified within Scrophulariaceae family.
Several species and variations are mentioned, including:
- Castilleja lutescens (Stiff yellow Indian paintbrush)
- Castilleja chromosa / Castilleja angustifolia (Desert Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja flava S. Watson (Yellow Indian paintbrush)
- Castilleja flava var. flava (Yellow Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja affinis ssp. affinis (Coast Indian paintbrush, Wight's indian paint brush)
- Castilleja coccinea forma lutescens (Indian Paintbrush, Yellow Form)
- Castilleja indivisa (Pink Indian Paintbrush)
Distribution and Habitat
Indian paintbrush species are found across much of the United States, often at high elevations. They thrive in diverse habitats, including alvars, moist highland meadows, and areas within the western United States.
Morphology and Growth
- Indian paintbrush flowers are named for the clusters of spiky blooms that resemble paintbrushes dipped in bright red or orange-yellow paint.
- They are terrestrial herbs or flowering plants.
- They have hairy, upright stems with flowers clustered at the top.
- The actual flowers are inconspicuous, tubular, greenish-yellow, and nestled in the axils of showy bracts that hide the tubular yellow-green flowers that have a thin coat of white hairs.
- Leaves are long and narrow, and pointed.
- The inflorescence consists of large, three-lobed bright colored bracts (modified leaves) that can be red, yellow, orange, purple or pink colored.
Ecological Role
- Indian paintbrush obtains water and nutrients by penetrating the roots of other plants.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Pink Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It serves as an important host plant for some species.