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Cox, Fran

Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta

Castilleja exserta (A. Heller) T.I. Chuang & Heckard ssp. exserta

Purple Owl's Clover, Owl's Clover, Exserted Indian Paintbrush

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s): Orthocarpus exsertus, Orthocarpus purpurascens, Orthocarpus purpurascens var. pallidus, Orthocarpus purpurascens var. palmeri

USDA Symbol: CAEXE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I)

In favorable seasons, extensive areas become rose-colored with the flowers of this sometimes parasitic plant. Upright tufts of flowers and bracts cover the top of the 4-18 in. stems. The flowers are rose with yellow or white, while the subtending bracts are bright crimson or purple. The lower portion of the stem is densely covered with ascending, thread-like leaves.

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 18 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , ID , NM
Native Distribution: W. & s. AZ, s. CA & Baja CA
Native Habitat: Open mesas & slopes; 1500 to 4500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Sandy soils.

Propagation

Description: Scratch untreated seeds into the soil in early fall. Typically germinate when soil temperatures are near 80 degrees.
Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-28
Research By: TWC Staff

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