Castilleja latifolia

Common Names

Monterey Indian Paintbrush, Wideleaf Indian Paintbrush

Summary

Monterey Indian paintbrush is a perennial herb or subshrub in Orobanchaceae, native to the central California coast from Point Reyes to Big Sur, typically 30–60 cm tall with bristly gray-green to purple-tinted foliage. It grows in coastal dunes and coastal scrub at elevations 0–185 m, with an inflorescence 5–20 cm long, bracts 15–20 mm that are bright red to yellow, a calyx 15–25 mm, a 20–30 mm corolla with a 10–15 mm beak, a club-shaped stigma, and seeds 2–2.5 mm; the plant is hemi-parasitic and may be difficult to transplant, flowering February–September (and potentially year-round in favorable years).

Propagation is by seed, though the plant is a root parasite and transplanting may kill it; germination may require a cold, wet winter, sowing in fall with firm seeds into loose topsoil; seeds are extremely small (millions per pound). Preferred conditions are open sunny sites with dry to sandy soils; the species is endemic to central California coast and is listed in CNPS as List 1B with Global Rank G4 and State Rank S4, not very threatened in California; it supports wildlife such as butterflies and moths.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones unknown

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Sandy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained sandy soils

Soil pH

Acidic (pH < 6.8)

Bloom Color

Bright red, yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, gray-green, purple, or purple-tinted

Fall Foliage Color

Orange, Green, Red, Purple, Gray-Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Not determinable

Growth Rate

Unknown

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies and moths