Wikimedia Commons
Orobanchaceae
Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja
The colors of the West, gratitude, creativity.
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus
- Castilleja
- Native to
- Western North America, Andes
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- herbaceous perennial or annual
- Height
- 20–80 cm
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Well-drained; needs host plant nearby
- Water
- Low to moderate
- Hardiness
- 3–9
- Lifespan
- Varies
Did you know
- Indian paintbrush is the state flower of Wyoming and is found across the American West and the Rockies.
- It's a hemiparasite — its roots tap into neighboring plants like grasses and lupines to steal water and nutrients, making it nearly impossible to transplant.
- The 'flowers' are actually colorful bracts that conceal the small, narrow true flowers within.
- A Native American legend tells of a young brave who tried to paint a sunset and threw down his brushes in frustration — they sprouted into Indian paintbrush flowers.
- Hummingbirds are the chief pollinators of Indian paintbrush, drawn to the bright tubular flowers.