![]() ![]() The capsules are approximately 1/2 of an inch (9 to 12 mm) in length. The leaves grow 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 cm) in length.įruits: Capsules containing 2-cells and many seeds are produced. The margins of the leaves are usually entire, however the upper leaves may contain 3 shallow lobes with or without fine hairs. Leaves: Alternate, narrow, sharp-pointed linear to lance-shaped leaves are produced. The species name miniata is not related to the size of the plant, it is in reference to the scarlet-red color known as 'minium', which is an oxidation product of lead minerals. ![]() This species is our most common Castilleja in the mountains. Comments: It is partially parasitic on the roots of other. Visitors flock to photograph this wildflower and no Glacier National Park vacation is complete without paintbrush pictures. ![]() When attempting to identify this species, look for the narrow un-lobed leaves, bright red inflorescence, sharply pointed calyx lobes, and greenish flowers which are much longer than the calyx. Flower Color: Red, scarlet or yellowish bracts flowers greenish. The Indian Paintbrush wildflower is one of nature’s most beautiful red flowers. A perennial herb which produces small clusters of stems and grows in mountain meadows and grasslands, forest openings, on mountain slopes, and coastal bluffs.įEATURES: Castilleja is a difficult genus to identify. Broken plant parts have been used in the house for decoration.ĮDIBILITY: Yes. The plant has been used as hummingbird feed. A decoction of seeds has been taken as a cough medicine. MEDICAL USE: The Gitksan, Nitinaht, and Nlaka'pamux Pacific Northwest tribes have taken a decoction of the entire plant to treat bleeding lungs, sore eyes, and backaches, as a diuretic and as a purgative. GENESIS NAME: Castilleja miniata Figwort FamilyĭISTRBUTION: East of the Rocky Mountains Alaska & Canada WEST FORK LAKE, MOUNTAIN 6416' & LOOKOUT TOWER TRAIL #347 TWO MOUTH LAKES TO THE WIGWAMS HIGH TRAVERSE SHORTY PEAK TRAIL #95 6515' & LONE TREE PEAK 6732' RUSSELL PEAK 6618' TRAIL #12 & RUSSELL RIDGE #92 MYRTLE LAKE 5950' & MYRTLE PEAK 7122' TRAIL #286 MOUNT ROOTHAAN 7326' AND CHIMNEY ROCK 7124' TRAIL #256 Products include: food, beverages, and food preservation, a variety of medicines (for burns, contraception, injuries, wash, etc.), poison infusion, love charm, decoration (hide coloration, celebrations, and wreaths), hummingbird traps, and more.CUTOFF PEAK 6844' AND SMITH PEAK'S NORTH RIDGEįAULT LAKE 5980' & HUNT PEAK 7058' TRAIL #59 Native peoples used this perennial, woody species extensively. Some common parasitic plants include mistletoe (a stem parasite), Sandalwood (hemiparasitic), and even some Christmas trees (such as the Western Australian Christmas tree is an obligate root hemiparasite). There are a variety of other parasitic plants, some of which target food crops (corn, rice, millets, and Sorghum) causing significant economic losses. This combination makes Indian paintbrush a hemiparasite. Giant red Indian paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) is a perennial herb wildflower that exhibits a parasitic dependence on other plants. As a parasite, they penetrate the roots of a host, such as perennial grass, and sequester water and nutrients. They are also ‘obligate parasites’ during a portion of their lifecycle (meaning they cannot complete their lifecycle without it). Indian paintbrush photosynthesize energy like other plants. The lack of a perch discourages non-hovering pollinators. ![]() Hummingbirds can hover near the plant and extract nectar with their long bills. Indian paintbrush are especially adapted for hummingbird pollination. You can grow it in your perennial garden or use it to naturalize. When ripe, capsules can contain up to 300 seeds which are scattered via the wind. Indian paintbrush is a native plant that grows wild in the American West and Southwest. Once pollinated, the plant creates a two-chamber seed capsule. Pollinationīracts also hide the small greenish tubular flowers which attract a variety of pollinators, especially bees and hummingbirds. Bracts are a type of modified leaf that gives the plant the look of a paint brush dipped in red paint. In the spring and early summer, Indian paintbrush are easy to find and recognize with their showy red bracts. Indian paintbrush courtesy of USDA Forest Service ![]()
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