SafePlants

Indian Paintbrush: A Vibrant Wildflower

The Indian Paintbrush is a striking wildflower found across North America, known for its vibrant colors and prevalence in iconic landscapes. It's often associated with bluebonnets and other wildflowers, creating breathtaking displays in spring.

Common Names

• Wyoming Indian Paintbrush
• Narrow-leaved Indian Paintbrush
• Desert Paintbrush
• Wyoming Desert Paintbrush
• Scarlet Paintbrush (sometimes)
• Woolly Paintbrush
• Sierra Woolly Indian Paintbrush
• Hierba de Conejo (in Mexico, specifically referring to *Castilleja lanata*)

Scientific Names

• *Castilleja* (Genus)
• *Castilleja indivisa* (mentioned)
• *Castilleja mexicana* (Mexican Indian Paintbrush)
• *Castilleja exserta* (Exserted Indian Paintbrush)
• *Castilleja tenuiflora* (Santa Catalina Indian Paintbrush)
• *Castilleja lanata* (referenced by the name Hierba de conejo)
• *Castilleja annua Pennell* (Fairbanks annual Indian paintbrush)
• *Castilleja miniata* (mentioned)

Distribution and Habitat

Indian Paintbrushes are native to North America, with approximately 107 species found from Alaska and western Canada down to Mexico. They are particularly abundant in:

• Texas
• Wyoming
• New Mexico
• Arizona
• Nevada
• Rocky Mountains
• Great Plains
• Northern Mexico
• California

Specific habitats include rocky areas and desert regions along the US-Mexico border.

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial herbs, growing to a height of 30.5 to 61 cm (12 to 24 inches).
• The "flowers" are actually colorful bracts, which can range in color from orange and scarlet to cream and yellow.

Ecological Role

• The text references that Mexican Hat wildflowers, which can be seen alongside the Indian Paintbrush, have the potential to be aggressive.

Quirky Facts

• The Indian Paintbrush is the state flower of Wyoming.
• The colorful part of the Indian Paintbrush isn't the flower itself, but modified leaves called bracts.
• In Mexico, the leaves of *Castilleja lanata* were known by the Zapotecs as "Hierba de conejo."

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It is referenced that the plant "Hierba de conejo Indian paintbrush" is used, along with wormseed, as food.

Further Information

• Dave's Garden: A community for sharing gardening tips and ideas.
• Garden Guides: Provides plant information, identification, uses, and gardening advice, specifically mentioning the Mexican Indian Paintbrush (*Castilleja mexicana*).
• Discover Life: Offers information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of *Castilleja mexicana*.
• Amazon.com: Sells seeds of *Castilleja indivisa*.
• Shutterstock: Provides stock photos and illustrations of Mexican Indian Paintbrush.