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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Castilleja sulphurea

Castilleja sulphurea Rydb.

Sulphur Indian Paintbrush, Sulphur Paintbrush

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s): Castilleja luteovirens, Castilleja mogollonica, Castilleja rhexiifolia var. sulphurea

USDA Symbol: casu12

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

The flower cluster of this leafy plant resembles a ragged, pale yellow paintbrush, each calyx, and the bracts beneath the flowers, brightly colored.

Most Indian Paintbrushes are bright red; this is one of the few yellow ones. The large genus is found primarily in western North America.

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

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

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AZ , CO , ID , MT , NM , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC
Native Distribution: Southern Alberta and western Montana to Utah, New Mexico, and western South Dakota.
Native Habitat: Moist meadows and slopes from moderate to high elevations.

Find Seed or Plants

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

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FACW							FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

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

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 65 - Montana Field Guides - Plants (2020) State of Montana
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

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

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