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Reveal, James L.

Castilleja integra

Castilleja integra A. Gray

Wholeleaf Indian Paintbrush, Squawfeather

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CAIN14

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This perennial paintbrush, 6-18 in., sometimes more, tall, bears several leafy stems from a woody root. The stems are topped by crimson, floral spikes. The flowers themselves are greenish, tinged scarlet, and are mostly hidden by the showy crimson, or sometimes yellowish, bracts. Narrow, unlobed, undivided leaves line the stems.

The roots of this plant will grow until they touch the roots of other plants, frequently grasses, penetrating these "host" roots to obtain a portion of their nutrients. Transplanting paintbrush may kill it.

From the Image Gallery

57 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 40 inches tall, usually much shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange , Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AZ , CO , NM , TX
Native Distribution: W. TX to AZ & n. Mex., n. to CO
Native Habitat: Arid hills, plains & mesas

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Gravelly soils.
Conditions Comments: The roots of this plant will grow until they touch the roots of other plants, frequently grasses, penetrating these "host" roots to obtain a portion of their nutrients. Transplanting paintbrush may kill it.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Fulvia Checkerspot
(Chlosyne fulvia)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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