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Castilleja purpurea (Nutt.) G. Don
Prairie paintbrush, Downy Indian paintbrush, Purple paintbrush, Lemon paintbrush
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
USDA Symbol: CAPU11
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
An herbaceous, caespitose perennial from 6 to 18 inches high. Stems and leaves green, with villose hairs lending a grey cast. Leaves linear to lanceolate, with 1 to 3 pairs of narrow, lateral, linear-to-lanceolate lobes. Vivid color provided by lanceolate bracts on 6-inch spikes. Bract color at ends. Muted color on ends of calyces. Corolla inconspicuous, pale greenish white. Calyx 35-34 mm long. Corolla 35-40 mm. Lower lip of corolla 1.5-7 mm long with flaring lobes.
Three varieties are recognized. Castilleja purpurea var. citrina, Lemon Paintbrush, sports pale to vivid yellow bracts and a longer and more flaring lower corolla lip than the other varieties. It ranges from central Kansas to central and west Texas in gravelly and sandy soils. Variety lindheimeri, Lindheimers Paintbrush, has orange to red bracts of various intensities and is found from the Blackland prairies of north-central Texas to the Rio Grande plains. It is more adapted to clay soils than the others. Variety purpurea, Purple Paintbrush, has the widest range of natural colors, usually some shade of purple but occasionally also shades of red, orange, yellow, or white. Favoring rocky limestone soils, it ranges from southwest Missouri southwest to central Texas. Where the varieties meet, an even wider range of colors can occur as they hybridize.
This Castilleja species is native to calcareous grasslands from southern Kansas and Missouri south through Oklahoma to south Texas, and differs from the familiar, annual Castilleja indivisa commonly seeded on Texas roadsides not only in its longer lifespan but also in its wider range of colors. Its three natural varieties feature bracts ranging from yellow to orange to red to purple, depending on variety, with many shades in between. Like many paintbrushes, it is semi-parasitic on grass roots, an adaptation that makes it ideal for meadow and prairie plantings.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate , Linear
Leaf Pubescence: Villose
Leaf Margin: Entire
Breeding System: Monoecious
Inflorescence: Spike
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Usually 6-9 inches tall but can reach 18 inches
Leaf Color: Green to grey-green
Flower Size: 6-inch spikes, individual flowers within bracts 25-40 mm long
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Pink , Orange , Yellow , PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Usually blooms in May. Variety citrina has floral bracts in various shades of yellow. Variety lindheimeri has floral bracts ranging from orange to red. Variety purpurea has floral bracts usually purple, purplish red, or purplish pink but they can also be red, orange, yellow, or white. Where populations meet, the varieties hybridize for an even broader range of colors.
Distribution
USA: KS , MO , OK , TXNative Distribution: From southern Missouri and southern Kansas south to the upper Rio Grande plains of Texas
Native Habitat: Gravelly or sandy calcareous grasslands, savannahs, and woodland openings
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Calcareous, limestone-based gravels, sands, clays, and loams
Conditions Comments: It appears to grow best when planted among short or tall prairie grass, because its roots are semi-parasitic on grass roots.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Shortgrass meadow, Pocket prairie, Perennial gardenUse Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds and bees.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsDescription: Propagated by seed in well drained soil.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: If plants seem to be losing vigor, plant native grasses near them, as they are semi-parasitic on grass roots.
Find Seed or Plants
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Mr. Smarty Plants says
Question: My wife and I want to take a section of our front lawn that is currently in Bermuda grass and plant some native perennials with lots of flowers. The area will be a quarter-circle in a corner of the lawn with the 2 straight sides approximately 8-10 feet long. Three related questions, what would be the best way (ecological acceptable and good for the coming bed) to get rid of the Bermuda grass. What would be the best method of improving the soil, it is typical clay for Round Rock, Texas. Third what would be some good plant choices. The site gets sun until late-mid to late afternoon.
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
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Recommended Species Lists
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View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Castilleja purpurea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Castilleja purpurea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Castilleja purpurea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-12-05Research By: DEW, JSC, GDG
