Family: Orobanchaceae
Indian paintbrush, scarlet painted-cup
Etymology: Castilleja: named for Professor Domingo Castillejo, an instructor of botany at Cadiz, Spain
Plants: erect, annual/biennial, 5"-24" tall forb, more or less hairy, usually unbranched; partially parasitic
Leaves: alternate, main leaves can be undivided or divided into 3-5 segments
Flowers: greenish to yellow with scarlet (occasionally yellow/orange), 3-5-lobed bract, 5-parted, tubular-shaped, upper lip sharply triangular covering the 4 stamens, lower lip much shorter and only slightly flaring, the tube long and slender; inflorescence a 1 1/2"-2 1/2", dense, terminal spike becoming 4"-8" long in fruit; blooms May-Aug.
Fruits: oval capsule
Habitat: dry, moderate moisture to wet; prairies, meadows; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, annual/biennial, 5"-24" tall forb, more or less hairy, usually unbranched; partially parasitic
Leaves: alternate, main leaves can be undivided or divided into 3-5 segments
Flowers: greenish to yellow with scarlet (occasionally yellow/orange), 3-5-lobed bract, 5-parted, tubular-shaped, upper lip sharply triangular covering the 4 stamens, lower lip much shorter and only slightly flaring, the tube long and slender; inflorescence a 1 1/2"-2 1/2", dense, terminal spike becoming 4"-8" long in fruit; blooms May-Aug.
Fruits: oval capsule
Habitat: dry, moderate moisture to wet; prairies, meadows; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6, Wetland Indicator = FAC Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"