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.
Flora of North America reference.
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.
Flora of North America reference.
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.
Flora of North America reference.
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.
Flora of North America reference.
Lesser Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja minor (C. exilis)
Family:
Broomrape (Orobanchaceae)
AKA:
Annual Paintbrush, Marsh 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.
Flora of North America reference.
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.
Flora of North America reference.