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Reveal, James L.

Castilleja miniata ssp. miniata

Castilleja miniata Douglas ex Hook. ssp. miniata

Giant Red Indian Paintbrush, Indian-paintbrush

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s): Castilleja confusa, Castilleja gracillima, Castilleja inconstans, Castilleja oblongifolia, Castilleja uliginosa

USDA Symbol: camim5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

The leafy erect stems of this wildflower support conspicuously bracted, terminal floral clusters. Bracts are usually red, though some forms display a more salmon or even yellow color. Stems are 1-2 ft. long and may be decumbent at the base.

From the Image Gallery

45 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 , Pink , Orange , Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , ND , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: N. NM & n. AZ
Native Habitat: Pine forest openings in the mts.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Mesic to moist, somewhat acid, soils.
Conditions Comments: This species is very close to a number of other western Castilleja spp., and may not be separate from them. 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.

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

Metadata

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

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