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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Castilleja foliolosa (Texas indian paintbrush)
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

1 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 , Green
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

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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