Castilleja unalaschcensis
A subarctic native hemiparasitic perennial in the Orobanchaceae family, with vibrant red-orange blooms that attract pollinators, thriving in well-drained soil (pH 6.0–7.0) in full sun, with a 3–5 year lifespan and notable toxicity to humans and pets, native to Alaska, Yukon, and northwestern British Columbia.
Common Names
Unalaska Paintbrush, Alaska Indian Paintbrush
Summary
Alaska Indian Paintbrush is a perennial herb native to Alaska and western Canada, with a stout, scaly, somewhat woody stem-base; stems 20–80 cm tall; leaves alternate; inflorescence a prominent bracted terminal spike; bracts greenish yellow to bright yellow; corollas greenish, 15–30 mm long, two-lipped, upper lip beak-like and lower lip with three teeth; calyces greenish to yellow and hairy; seeds many; it frequently hybridizes with Castilleja miniata; distribution includes NW British Columbia north of 53°N, extending to Alaska and Yukon; habitat includes moist to mesic meadows, thickets and open forests across lowland, montane and subalpine zones.
Cultivation and practical considerations reflect adaptation to moist to mesic habitats, with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil of sandy to loamy texture; preferred pH ranges 6.0–7.0; growth occurs in similar regions and has a hemiparasitic root system; propagation involves seeds (seeds many) and planting depth of 1–2 inches with 12–18 inches between plants; lifespan about 3–5 years.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
8 inches-3 feet
Spread
12-18 inches
Sunlight Requirements
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained soil, sandy or loamy, pH 6.0–7.0
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil.
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Bloom Color
Greenish-yellow to yellow
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Dark green
Fall Foliage Color
Greenish yellow to bright yellow, sometimes orange-tinged
Growth Rate
Low
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, Attracts hummingbirds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (Cham. & Schltdl.) Malte
- Publication
- Rhodora 36: 187 (1934)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus
- Castilleja
Synonyms
Castilleja pallida var. unalaschcensis Castilleja pallida var. unalaschkensis Castilleja unalaschcensis subsp. typica Castilleja unalaschcensis subsp. transnivalis