Castilleja hyperborea

Common Names

Northern Indian Paintbrush, Northern Paintbrush, Northern Indian-Paintbrush

Summary

Northern Indian Paintbrush is a hemiparasitic perennial herb native to Alaska and northwestern British Columbia, occupying subarctic and subalpine habitats such as tundra, rocky slopes, ridges, barrens and openings in boreal forests. Stems are erect and densely hairy (8–16 cm); leaves are slender with 1–2 pairs of lobes; the elongated inflorescence bears large yellowish-green bracts, a corolla of 10–22 mm, flowers that are bisexual and irregular, a seed capsule 9–13 mm and 2-locular, with numerous seeds; it can complete its life cycle without a host but benefits from parasitism on roots of neighboring grasses and forbs, and blooms mid-July.

In cultivation, the plant is hemiparasitic on roots of grasses and forbs, so host presence influences establishment; preferred growing conditions include humus-rich, moist soils with partial shade, and winter protection may be provided by an alpine greenhouse. Native habitat includes dry to mesic rocky tundra, slopes, ridges, barrens and meadows, and openings in boreal forests; blooming occurs mid-July, and pollination is well suited to hummingbirds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-10 inches

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Rocky, well-drained soil on stony slopes

Soil Drainage

Wet, humus-rich soil

Bloom Color

Yellowish-green

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Yellow and green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, Green, Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Seasons of Interest

Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts hummingbirds