Castilleja pulchella
A subalpine perennial in the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) native to Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, described by Rydberg, attracting pollinators with yellow-green flowers in a 2–7 cm inflorescence, thriving in well-drained soil and moist subalpine to alpine meadows and talus at 1800–3500 m.
Common Names
Indian Paintbrush, Beautiful Indian Paintbrush, Beautiful Paintbrush, Showy Paintbrush
Summary
Native to western North America, this perennial occurs from western Montana to northeastern Utah in subalpine grasslands at 1800–3500 m, forming compact plants 5–12 cm tall with adpressed-hairy stems and a thin taproot; leaves are linear and 3–5-lobed with linear, acute lobes; the inflorescence is 2–7 cm, the corolla is straight and 17–22 mm, and color is yellow and green with bloom in summer.
Cultivation favors humus-rich, moist soil in semi-shaded locations; alpine-house protection may be used in winter. Propagation is by spring surface sowing with germination 1–3 months at 16–21°C, and cuttings can be taken in late summer.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2-8 inches
Spread
12-18 inches
Sunlight Requirements
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Humus-rich, moist soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Bloom Color
Yellow
Bloom Time
Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Yellow, Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Moderate
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds and Cuttings, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees and other pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Rydb.
- Publication
- Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 34: 40 (1907)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus
- Castilleja