Castilleja ambigua

Common Names

Paintbrush, Johnny Nip, Owl's Clover

Summary

Johnny-nip is a native annual herb of western North America, ranging from British Columbia to California, typically reaching about 10–30 cm in height and growing in coastal salt marshes and northern coastal scrub. It features an inflorescence up to 12 cm long with bracts that have white to light purple ridged tips; flowers are lobed and colored yellow, light purple, or rose, with leaves 1–5 cm long, and the plant is hemiparasitic, attaching to host roots via haustoria and not host-specific, commonly targeting grasses.

In landscapes, it occupies coastal habitats such as salt marsh borders and brackish ponds as an annual, with flowering typically from May to August; it forms capsules as fruit and can support wildlife including caterpillars and butterflies. Subspecies include ambigua and humboldtiensis, reflecting local variation, and presence in native coastal plantings can contribute to habitat value and seasonal color.

Lifecycle

Annual

Height

4-12 inches

Spread

Unknown

Hardiness Zones

Zones unknown

Sunlight Requirements

Unknown.

Soil Type

Coastal salt marsh soils (brackish, saline)

Soil Drainage

Not enough information

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

All year long

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Unknown

Growth Rate

Annual

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies