SafePlants

Castilleja hispida subsp. brevilobata

Also known as Short-lobe Indian Paintbrush, this plant has several other common names, including Harsh Indian Paintbrush and Acute Indian Paintbrush. Other names used include short-lobed penstemon and shortlobe penstemon, which could cause confusion. It is also called Brevilobata.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Castilleja hispida Benth. subsp. brevilobata (Piper) T.I. Chuang &amp Heckard
• Family: Orobanchaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae)
• Rank: Subspecies
• Synonyms: Castilleja brevilobata, Castilleja hispida ssp. brevilobata (Piper) Chuang &amp Heckard

Morphological Characteristics

• The short-lobe Indian paintbrush develops a bare stem, creating a thick crown.
• It is not an evergreen.
• Basal leaves are formed during the first year and are short, oblong, with rounded ends.
• Stems are ascending to erect, usually solitary, simple or sometimes branched, and short-hairy.
• Leaves are alternate and stalkless.
• Upper leaves can have 3 lobes and fine hairs or 3-5 narrow lobes covered with short, sticky, soft hairs.
• Some leaves are cleft with 3 to 5 linear lobes, the central lobe longer.
• Leaves may be narrowly oblong with one to a few pairs of short lobes near the tip.
• The plant can be glandular-hairy, with short and long hairs having heads.
• Floral bracts can be brilliant red to orange, each with five narrow lobes.