Castilleja Occidentalis, Western Indian Paintbrush
Plants > Wildflowers > Orobanchaceae > Castilleja Occidentalis
Common names:
Western indian paintbrush, western yellow paintbrush
Family:
Scientific name:
Castilleja occidentalis
Main flower color:
Range:
Montana, the southern Rocky Mountains (CO, NM) and southeast Utah
Height:
Between 4 and 10 inches
Habitat:
Alpine regions, tundra, meadows, forest openings
Leaves:
Lanceolate, alternate, usually undivided, up to 3 inches long
Season:
June to September
The thin, inconspicuous green flower tubes of castilleja occidentalis are surrounded by large, yellowish green bracts, which become purple from the base when mature. Flowers have a protruding lower lip and a larger upper lip. The stems are also purplish, and woody towards the ground. The bracts, stem and leaves have a covering of long white hairs. The plant inhabits high elevation regions and is common in the tundra zone above the treeline, hence it is somewhat shorter than many other species of this widespread genus. The leaves are relatively broad at the base, unstalked, and have three distinctive lengthwise veins. Upper leaves may have two small lobes at the side, near the (pointed) tip.
Castilleja flava is somewhat similar, but its leaves are always divided.
Castilleja flava is somewhat similar, but its leaves are always divided.
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