Scientific Name:
Castilleja
spp.
Pronunciation:
kas-tee-LEE-uh HISS-pih-duh
Common Name:
Indian paintbrush, harsh paintbrush
Family Name:
Orobanchaceae
Plant Type:
Biennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal and spatulate in first year, and then alternate on flowering stem of second year, lanceolate or tree-pointed towards apex on the flowering stalks the next year, most 4-7cm long x 1-2cm wide; flowers green but with large mostly three-lobed bracts which look as though they were dipped in orange or red or yellow paint.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Columnar
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
North America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract birds, Native planting, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Species shown may include C. hispida (on KPU rooftop garden), and C. miniata (more common native plants with leaves entire, not lobed).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal, Sessile
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Shapes:
Lanceolate, Spatulate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Decurrent
Margins:
Incised, Palmately lobed
Inflorescence Type:
Spike
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Tubular
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Orange, Red (rarely yellow)
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
The three pointed bracts that account for the colour
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Organ Modifications:
Roots can are partially parasitic on neighboring plants in its native habitat
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
Course(s):
- not used (on campus)
Location(s):
- (WDH) Wark-Dumais House : C. hispida - roof top garden