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little reddish Indian paintbrush
Scientific Name: Castilleja rubida
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja)
Castilleja, commonly known as Indian paintbrush or prairie-fire, is a genus of about 200 species. The "flowers" are actually colorful red-orange bracts that hide the small, green flowers.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions that the seeds of the Indian Paintbrush look like little pieces of bone or ivory.
Considerations for Children
- The text mentions that the seeds of the Indian Paintbrush look like little pieces of bone or ivory.
Quirky Facts
- What appear to be the petals of the Indian Paintbrush are actually bracts. These bracts come in shades of orange, red, and sometimes yellow, and they hide the small, green flowers.
- The seeds of the Indian Paintbrush usually germinate in the fall and bloom the next spring.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Castilleja
- Common Names: Indian Paintbrush, Prairie-fire
- Examples of Species:
- Castilleja miniata
- Castilleja rubida Piper (Little Reddish Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja coccinea
- Castilleja integra (Wholeleaf Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja chromosa
- Castilleja angustifolia
- Castilleja sulphurea (Sulphur Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja indivisa (Entireleaf Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja Wightii (Wight's Indian Paintbrush)
- Castilleja salsuginosa (Monte Neva Indian Paintbrush)
Common Names
- Indian Paintbrush
- Red Indian Paintbrush
- Harsh Paintbrush
- Cliff Paintbrush
- Small-flowered Paintbrush
- Giant Red Indian Paintbrush
- Meadow Paintbrush
- Common Red Paintbrush
- Northwestern Paintbrush
- Northwestern Indian Paintbrush
- Desert Indian Paintbrush
- Sulphur Indian Paintbrush
- Entireleaf Indian Paintbrush
- Wight's Indian Paintbrush
- Monte Neva Indian Paintbrush
Distribution and Habitat
- The Castilleja genus is found in North America, particularly in the US Lower 48.
- Specific mentions include Minnesota, southeastern Arizona, and Texas.
- It is the state flower of Texas.
Morphological Characteristics
- Clusters of green to yellow tubular flowers with showy red to orange petal-like bracts.
- The vibrant orange, red, or pink bracts and sepals hide the small, green flowers.
- Some species have leaves that turn red at the tips.
- Seeds look like little pieces of bone or ivory.
- The plant has a long taproot.
Ecological Role
- The bright blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The plant can serve as a food source for birds and insects.
Further Information
- Discover Life offers information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Castilleja rubida.
- Garden Guides offers information on plants commonly known as Indian Paintbrush.