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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Castilleja foliolosa

Castilleja foliolosa Hook. & Arn.

Texas Indian Paintbrush, Texas Indian-paintbrush, Chaparral Paintbrush

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CAFO2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A 1-2 ft., bushy perennial with white to woolly gray leaves. Showy, yellow and red bracts and sepals hide the small green flowers in a torch-like flowerhead.

Roots grow until they touch the roots of other plants, frequently grasses, then penetrate the roots of these host plants, obtaining a portion of their nutrients. Transplanting paintbrush usually kills it.

From the Image Gallery

17 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: CA Coast Ranges from Humboldt Co. south; less common on w. base of Sierras
Native Habitat: A variety of dry, open places below 5000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Roots grow until they touch the roots of other plants, frequently grasses, then penetrate the roots of these host plants, obtaining a portion of their nutrients. Transplanting paintbrush usually kills it.

Propagation

Description: Sow seeds in fall with seeds of an herbaceous perennial. Bouteloua gracilis has been recommended as a host.
Seed Treatment: No treatment.
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 foliolosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Castilleja foliolosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Castilleja foliolosa

Metadata

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

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