Indian Paintbrush (6)

	Paintbrush species are easily recognized but can be difficult to identify. Leaves, location and habitat help to differentiate. What appears to be flowers, the paintbrush, are actually leaf-like bracts. The flowers are a narrow, green-yellow tube. Photo at left is Orange Paintbrush. See also Rosy Paintbrush and Sulphur Paintbrush.
	Desert Paintbrush Castilleja chromosa (C. angustifolia) Family: Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) AKA: Crimson Paintbrush, Northwestern Indian Paintbrush Photo taken on: May 16, 2004 Location: Almont, CO Life Zones: Plains to foothills Habitat: Dry, gravelly meadows and slopes Blooms early in clumps with velvety, purplish stems and leaves. Grows to 12" high. The flower heads are almost fluorescent. The bracts are narrow, hairy and folded.
	Orange Paintbrush Castilleja integra Family: Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) AKA: Foothills Paintbrush, Broadbract Paintbrush Whole Leaf Paintbrush Photo taken on: May 15, 2009 Location: White Rock, NM Life Zones: Foothills to montane Habitat: Pinyon-juniper and ponderosa woodlands Can grow to 20" but is usually shorter. It has large, bright bracts which are not divided or lobed and are covered with fine, white hairs. Leaves are narrow, hairy underneath but not on top.
	Wyoming Paintbrush Castilleja linariifolia Family: Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) AKA: Narrowleaf Indian Paintbrush Photo taken on: July 2, 2005 Location: Walrod Gulch, GV, CO Life Zones: Foothills to montane Habitat: Dry slopes and meadows Grows over 2 feet tall with very narrow leaves. It is not as bright red as the other Paintbrushes.
	Scarlet Paintbrush Castilleja miniata Family: Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) AKA: Indian Paintbrush Photo taken on: July 14, 2007 Location: Scarp Ridge, GV, CO Life Zones: Montane to subalpine Habitat: Meadows. aspen forests Grows to 2 feet high. Stems and leaves can be green to purplish. Leaves are broad compared to Wyoming Paintbrush. Colors range from salmon to orange to red. The bracts are often divided into three deep lobes.
	Lesser Indian Paintbrush Castilleja minor (C. exilis) Family: Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) AKA: Annual Paintbrush, Marsh Indian Paintbrush Photo taken on: July 27, 2012 Location: Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM Life Zones: Plains to foothills Habitat: Wet areas, stream sides Grows to 32" tall with un-branched stems. It differs from other Paintbrushes by being an annual and liking wet places.
	Southern Mountains Paintbrush Castilleja nelsonii Family: Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) AKA: Arizona Paintbrush, Rincon Indian Paintbrush Photo taken on: June 14, 2011 Location: Cerro Grande Trail, Jemez Mountains, NM Life Zones: Foothills to subalpine Habitat: Rocky slopes, open forests Grows 2 to 3 feet tall. Stems are hairy but the leaves are only hairy underneath. Leaves are lance-shaped and flat compared to other Paintbrushes. Bracts are greenish turning red at tips.

Red & Orange Flowers