camera identify
Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Svenska
Polskie
ภาษาไทย
Bahasa Melayu
Bahasa Indonesia
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Svenska
Polskie
ภาษาไทย
Bahasa Melayu
Bahasa Indonesia
This page looks better in the app
about about
About
key_facts key_facts
Key Facts
distribution_map distribution_map
Distribution
children children
All Species
pupular_genus pupular_genus
More Genus
pic top
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush (Castilleja)
Although indian paintbrush (Castilleja) can photosynthesize, they also have the ability to take nutrients from other organisms. Featuring hundreds of different species, indian paintbrush have the same general features, with colorful bracts surrounding a less noticeable green flower. The genus' scientific name Castilleja derives from Domingo Castillejo, a Spanish botanist.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
info

Key Facts About Indian paintbrush

Attributes of Indian paintbrush

Leaf type
Semi-evergreen

Scientific Classification of Indian paintbrush

distribution

Distribution of Indian paintbrush

Distribution Map of Indian paintbrush

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
habit
species

Exploring the Indian paintbrush Plants

8 most common species:
Castilleja miniata
Giant red Indian paintbrush
Giant red Indian paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) is a perennial herb wildflower that exhibits a parasitic dependence on other plants. Giant red Indian paintbrush attaches itself to the roots of other plants and takes the nutrients it needs. Giant red Indian paintbrush grows in meadows, forest clearings and woodland areas.
Castilleja indivisa
Entireleaf Indian paintbrush
The common name for entireleaf Indian paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) arose because this plant looks like a paintbrush with paint on it. The roots of this plant spread out underground until they reach the roots of other plants. Then, they intertwine with the roots of their host plant to derive nourishment from it. That's the reason why botanists call this plant "semi-parasitic."
Castilleja arvensis
Field indian paintbrush
Field indian paintbrush (Castilleja arvensis) is an annual herbaceous semi-parasitic plant native to Mexico and Central and South America. It is also naturalized in Hawaii. The plant is a partial root parasite of nearby plants. Because of the bright red flowers, the entire genus Castilleja is sometimes called Prairie fire.
Castilleja affinis
Coast indian paintbrush
Coast indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis) is a perennial herb native to the west coast of North America. It has bright reddish-orange flowers that bloom in spring. Attracts butterflies, moths and caterpillars. Commonly found growing from California to Washington. Requires full sun and thrives in rocky, sandy soil.
Castilleja linariifolia
Wyoming Indian-Paintbrush
Wyoming Indian-Paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia) is a perennial wildflower that will grow to 91 cm tall. It blooms from summer to fall with scarlet red to reddish-orange flowers and yellow spikes that extend past the blooms. Flowers attract butterflies moths and caterpillars. Wyoming Indian-Paintbrush is the state flower of Wyoming in the U.S.
Castilleja applegatei
Wavyleaf indian paintbrush
Wavyleaf indian paintbrush (Castilleja applegatei) is a perennial herb with sticky wavy-edged leaves that is native to the western United States. It blooms in summer with a spectacular display of bright orange tubular-shaped flowers. It thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It is a root parasite deriving nutrients from other plants.
Castilleja angustifolia var. dubia
Northwestern indian paintbrush
Another name for northwestern indian paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia var. dubia) is desert paintbrush. If you happen to wander into the arid regions of the American Southwest, you’re likely to see its brilliant red flowers brightening up the desert landscape. Interestingly, northwestern indian paintbrush has stems and leaves that are green when there’s enough moisture in the soil. And when there isn’t, these parts of the plant turn purple.
Castilleja purpurea
Downy indian paintbrush
The Castilleja purpurea, also known as the downy indian paintbrush, is a wildflower native to the U.S. states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. It blooms in the spring with flowers that have a color range from pure white to wine with shades of pink and salmon. The plant is toxic if ingested by a horse.

All Species of Indian paintbrush

Giant red Indian paintbrush
Castilleja miniata
Giant red Indian paintbrush
Giant red Indian paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) is a perennial herb wildflower that exhibits a parasitic dependence on other plants. Giant red Indian paintbrush attaches itself to the roots of other plants and takes the nutrients it needs. Giant red Indian paintbrush grows in meadows, forest clearings and woodland areas.
Entireleaf Indian paintbrush
Castilleja indivisa
Entireleaf Indian paintbrush
The common name for entireleaf Indian paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) arose because this plant looks like a paintbrush with paint on it. The roots of this plant spread out underground until they reach the roots of other plants. Then, they intertwine with the roots of their host plant to derive nourishment from it. That's the reason why botanists call this plant "semi-parasitic."
Field indian paintbrush
Castilleja arvensis
Field indian paintbrush
Field indian paintbrush (Castilleja arvensis) is an annual herbaceous semi-parasitic plant native to Mexico and Central and South America. It is also naturalized in Hawaii. The plant is a partial root parasite of nearby plants. Because of the bright red flowers, the entire genus Castilleja is sometimes called Prairie fire.
Coast indian paintbrush
Castilleja affinis
Coast indian paintbrush
Coast indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis) is a perennial herb native to the west coast of North America. It has bright reddish-orange flowers that bloom in spring. Attracts butterflies, moths and caterpillars. Commonly found growing from California to Washington. Requires full sun and thrives in rocky, sandy soil.
Wyoming Indian-Paintbrush
Castilleja linariifolia
Wyoming Indian-Paintbrush
Wyoming Indian-Paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia) is a perennial wildflower that will grow to 91 cm tall. It blooms from summer to fall with scarlet red to reddish-orange flowers and yellow spikes that extend past the blooms. Flowers attract butterflies moths and caterpillars. Wyoming Indian-Paintbrush is the state flower of Wyoming in the U.S.
Wavyleaf indian paintbrush
Castilleja applegatei
Wavyleaf indian paintbrush
Wavyleaf indian paintbrush (Castilleja applegatei) is a perennial herb with sticky wavy-edged leaves that is native to the western United States. It blooms in summer with a spectacular display of bright orange tubular-shaped flowers. It thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It is a root parasite deriving nutrients from other plants.
Northwestern indian paintbrush
Castilleja angustifolia var. dubia
Northwestern indian paintbrush
Another name for northwestern indian paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia var. dubia) is desert paintbrush. If you happen to wander into the arid regions of the American Southwest, you’re likely to see its brilliant red flowers brightening up the desert landscape. Interestingly, northwestern indian paintbrush has stems and leaves that are green when there’s enough moisture in the soil. And when there isn’t, these parts of the plant turn purple.
Downy indian paintbrush
Castilleja purpurea
Downy indian paintbrush
The Castilleja purpurea, also known as the downy indian paintbrush, is a wildflower native to the U.S. states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. It blooms in the spring with flowers that have a color range from pure white to wine with shades of pink and salmon. The plant is toxic if ingested by a horse.
Acute indian paintbrush
Castilleja hispida
Acute indian paintbrush
Acute indian paintbrush (Castilleja hispida) is a plant species native to western North America, western South America, Asia, and Russia. Acute indian paintbrush is often known as the harsh Indian paintbrush. This species is one of 200 species within the Castilleja genus.
Scarlet indian-paintbrush
Castilleja coccinea
Scarlet indian-paintbrush
Scarlet indian-paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea) is a plant species native to the United States. Scarlet indian-paintbrush grows in moist meadows and prairies. This species attracts ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Exserted indian paintbrush
Castilleja exserta
Exserted indian paintbrush
The large-bodied flowers and small leaves of the exserted indian paintbrush are made possible through the plant's semi-parasitic nature. It sprouts underground structures that attach to other plants' roots to skim off some of the water and nutrients. The exserted indian paintbrush is critical to the endangered bay checkerspot butterfly.
Western indian paintbrush
Castilleja occidentalis
Western indian paintbrush
Another name for western indian paintbrush, also known as western yellow paintbrush, is *Castilleja occidentalis*. As a hemiparasite, this species obtains some of its nutrients from neighboring plants. It is indigenous to western North America.
Mountain indian paintbrush
Castilleja parviflora
Mountain indian paintbrush
Mountain indian paintbrush (Castilleja parviflora) is an Indian species native to western North America. Mountain indian paintbrush grows in high mountain habitat from Alaska to California. This species grows best in regions above the tree line, or alpine climates.
Woolly indian paintbrush
Castilleja foliolosa
Woolly indian paintbrush
Woolly indian paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa) is one of approximately 200 species of wildflowers in the Indian paintbrush family. It’s associated with indigenous peoples of the Americas, especially in the mountainous western regions. Woolly indian paintbrush seeds often need to experience an extended period of cold before they germinate.
Downy paintedcup
Castilleja sessiliflora
Downy paintedcup
Downy paintedcup (*Castilleja sessiliflora*) is a perennial herb with a tall, complex flower. It occurs throughout the Great Plains of North America. Downy paintedcup is happy in prairies, steppes, savannahs, and certain types of bushy thickets. As the name implies, the plant sprouts many fuzzy hairs. It blooms between spring and summer.
Coast indian paintbrush
Castilleja affinis subsp. affinis
Coast indian paintbrush
Coast indian paintbrush is the only species with a space between its name to avoid search engine redirects to paint stores. It is a popular garden plant in North America thanks to its bright summer foliage.
Catalina indian paintbrush
Castilleja tenuiflora
Catalina indian paintbrush
The Castilleja tenuiflora is an attractive plant also known as catalina indian paintbrush. The plant can be found in Mexico and southwestern parts of the United States. It blooms red spiky flowers from spring to winter and is found growing in woodlands.
Lesser indian paintbrush
Castilleja minor
Lesser indian paintbrush
This is an annual herb growing a mostly unbranching slender stem to heights from 30 centimeters to well over a meter. The leaves are lance-shaped and several centimeters long. The top of the stem is occupied by an inflorescence of green bracts tipped with bright red and smaller, yellowish flowers. The fruit is a capsule just over a centimeter long.
Wholeleaf indian paintbrush
Castilleja integra
Wholeleaf indian paintbrush
Wholeleaf indian paintbrush is a striking wildflower known for its vibrant bracts, which range in color from yellow to red. This perennial herb typically thrives in dry, open areas, where it forms a symbiotic relationship with native grasslands. Wholeleaf indian paintbrush exhibits slender, greenish stems and narrow leaves, with the notable bracts resembling petals that enshroud its small, tubular flowers. Adaptive to harsh environments, wholeleaf indian paintbrush is both a beacon of color and a testament to resilience in nature.
Dwarf alpine indian paintbrush
Castilleja nana
Dwarf alpine indian paintbrush
Castilleja nana is native to the western United States growing up to about 25 cm tall but often remaining much smaller. The leaves are narrowly lance-shaped and up to about 3. 5 cm long. The inflorescence is a cluster of pointed yellow-green, pink, or pale purple, hairy bracts.
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
close
product icon
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
About
Key Facts
Distribution
All Species
More Genus
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush
Castilleja
Although indian paintbrush (Castilleja) can photosynthesize, they also have the ability to take nutrients from other organisms. Featuring hundreds of different species, indian paintbrush have the same general features, with colorful bracts surrounding a less noticeable green flower. The genus' scientific name Castilleja derives from Domingo Castillejo, a Spanish botanist.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
info

Key Facts About Indian paintbrush

Attributes of Indian paintbrush

Leaf type
Semi-evergreen

Scientific Classification of Indian paintbrush

distribution

Distribution of Indian paintbrush

Distribution Map of Indian paintbrush

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
species

Exploring the Indian paintbrush Plants

8 most common species:
Castilleja miniata
Giant red Indian paintbrush
Giant red Indian paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) is a perennial herb wildflower that exhibits a parasitic dependence on other plants. Giant red Indian paintbrush attaches itself to the roots of other plants and takes the nutrients it needs. Giant red Indian paintbrush grows in meadows, forest clearings and woodland areas.
Castilleja indivisa
Entireleaf Indian paintbrush
The common name for entireleaf Indian paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) arose because this plant looks like a paintbrush with paint on it. The roots of this plant spread out underground until they reach the roots of other plants. Then, they intertwine with the roots of their host plant to derive nourishment from it. That's the reason why botanists call this plant "semi-parasitic."
Castilleja arvensis
Field indian paintbrush
Field indian paintbrush (Castilleja arvensis) is an annual herbaceous semi-parasitic plant native to Mexico and Central and South America. It is also naturalized in Hawaii. The plant is a partial root parasite of nearby plants. Because of the bright red flowers, the entire genus Castilleja is sometimes called Prairie fire.
Castilleja affinis
Coast indian paintbrush
Coast indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis) is a perennial herb native to the west coast of North America. It has bright reddish-orange flowers that bloom in spring. Attracts butterflies, moths and caterpillars. Commonly found growing from California to Washington. Requires full sun and thrives in rocky, sandy soil.
Show More Species

All Species of Indian paintbrush

popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
product icon close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
product icon close
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Cookie Management Tool
In addition to managing cookies through your browser or device, you can change your cookie settings below.
Necessary Cookies
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.
Analytical Cookies
Analytical cookies help us to improve our application/website by collecting and reporting information on its usage.
Cookie Name Source Purpose Lifespan
_ga Google Analytics These cookies are set because of our use of Google Analytics. They are used to collect information about your use of our application/website. The cookies collect specific information, such as your IP address, data related to your device and other information about your use of the application/website. Please note that the data processing is essentially carried out by Google LLC and Google may use your data collected by the cookies for own purposes, e.g. profiling and will combine it with other data such as your Google Account. For more information about how Google processes your data and Google’s approach to privacy as well as implemented safeguards for your data, please see here. 1 Year
_pta PictureThis Analytics We use these cookies to collect information about how you use our site, monitor site performance, and improve our site performance, our services, and your experience. 1 Year
Cookie Name
_ga
Source
Google Analytics
Purpose
These cookies are set because of our use of Google Analytics. They are used to collect information about your use of our application/website. The cookies collect specific information, such as your IP address, data related to your device and other information about your use of the application/website. Please note that the data processing is essentially carried out by Google LLC and Google may use your data collected by the cookies for own purposes, e.g. profiling and will combine it with other data such as your Google Account. For more information about how Google processes your data and Google’s approach to privacy as well as implemented safeguards for your data, please see here.
Lifespan
1 Year

Cookie Name
_pta
Source
PictureThis Analytics
Purpose
We use these cookies to collect information about how you use our site, monitor site performance, and improve our site performance, our services, and your experience.
Lifespan
1 Year
Marketing Cookies
Marketing cookies are used by advertising companies to serve ads that are relevant to your interests.
Cookie Name Source Purpose Lifespan
_fbp Facebook Pixel A conversion pixel tracking that we use for retargeting campaigns. Learn more here. 1 Year
_adj Adjust This cookie provides mobile analytics and attribution services that enable us to measure and analyze the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, certain events and actions within the Application. Learn more here. 1 Year
Cookie Name
_fbp
Source
Facebook Pixel
Purpose
A conversion pixel tracking that we use for retargeting campaigns. Learn more here.
Lifespan
1 Year

Cookie Name
_adj
Source
Adjust
Purpose
This cookie provides mobile analytics and attribution services that enable us to measure and analyze the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, certain events and actions within the Application. Learn more here.
Lifespan
1 Year
This page looks better in the app
Open