Castilleja pilosa
A western United States native perennial in the Orobanchaceae, with hairy stems, inflorescences of greenish to pink bracts surrounding pouched yellow-green flowers, often hemiparasitic, blooming May–August in sagebrush steppes to montane and subalpine habitats, 15–35 cm tall.
Common Names
Parrothead Indian Paintbrush, Hairy Paintbrush, Pilose Paintbrush
Summary
Native to the western United States from California to Wyoming, this perennial herb grows in sagebrush scrub and alpine habitats. It grows upright or spreading to about 8–35 cm tall, with hairy stems; leaves are linear-lanceolate and 1–5 cm long. The inflorescence extends 3–20 cm, featuring layered bracts that are greenish or purplish with white margins, and pouched yellow-green flowers 13–22 mm long with protruding stigmas. Overall bloom is pale yellow-green. Varieties include steenensis and longispica.
This hemiparasitic plant prefers sunny sites with poor, sandy soil. Propagation is by seed sown in spring, with germination in 1–3 months at 16–21°C, while cuttings can be used in late summer.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3-14 inches
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun.
Soil Type
Poor, sandy soil, Rocky soil (rocky slopes)
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Bloom Color
Pale yellow-green
Bloom Time
Summer
Foliage Color
Green, sometimes with purple; pale green or purple also reported.
Fall Foliage Color
Green, purple, pale yellowish green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Not specified
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds and Cuttings (seed in spring; cuttings in late summer)
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts butterflies and other pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (S.Watson) Rydb.
- Publication
- Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 1: 361 (1900)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus
- Castilleja
Inferior Taxa
Castilleja pilosa var. longispica Castilleja pilosa var. pilosa Castilleja pilosa var. steenensis