RED Indian paintbrush
RED INDIAN PAINTBRUSH
GENESIS NAME: Castilleja miniata Figwort Family
DISTRBUTION: East of the Rocky Mountains Alaska & Canada
SEASON: May thru September
MEDICAL USE: The Gitksan, Nitinaht, and Nlaka'pamux Pacific Northwest tribes have taken a decoction of the entire plant to treat bleeding lungs, sore eyes, and backaches, as a diuretic and as a purgative. A decoction of seeds has been taken as a cough medicine. The nectar has been eaten as candy. The plant has been used as hummingbird feed. Broken plant parts have been used in the house for decoration.
POISONOUS: No
EDIBILITY: Yes. A perennial herb which produces small clusters of stems and grows in mountain meadows and grasslands, forest openings, on mountain slopes, and coastal bluffs.
FEATURES: Castilleja is a difficult genus to identify. When attempting to identify this species, look for the narrow un-lobed leaves, bright red inflorescence, sharply pointed calyx lobes, and greenish flowers which are much longer than the calyx. This species is our most common Castilleja in the mountains. The species name miniata is not related to the size of the plant, it is in reference to the scarlet-red color known as 'minium', which is an oxidation product of lead minerals.
Leaves: Alternate, narrow, sharp-pointed linear to lance-shaped leaves are produced. The margins of the leaves are usually entire, however the upper leaves may contain 3 shallow lobes with or without fine hairs. The leaves grow 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 cm) in length.
Fruits: Capsules containing 2-cells and many seeds are produced. The capsules are approximately 1/2 of an inch (9 to 12 mm) in length.
DISTRBUTION: East of the Rocky Mountains Alaska & Canada
SEASON: May thru September
MEDICAL USE: The Gitksan, Nitinaht, and Nlaka'pamux Pacific Northwest tribes have taken a decoction of the entire plant to treat bleeding lungs, sore eyes, and backaches, as a diuretic and as a purgative. A decoction of seeds has been taken as a cough medicine. The nectar has been eaten as candy. The plant has been used as hummingbird feed. Broken plant parts have been used in the house for decoration.
POISONOUS: No
EDIBILITY: Yes. A perennial herb which produces small clusters of stems and grows in mountain meadows and grasslands, forest openings, on mountain slopes, and coastal bluffs.
FEATURES: Castilleja is a difficult genus to identify. When attempting to identify this species, look for the narrow un-lobed leaves, bright red inflorescence, sharply pointed calyx lobes, and greenish flowers which are much longer than the calyx. This species is our most common Castilleja in the mountains. The species name miniata is not related to the size of the plant, it is in reference to the scarlet-red color known as 'minium', which is an oxidation product of lead minerals.
Leaves: Alternate, narrow, sharp-pointed linear to lance-shaped leaves are produced. The margins of the leaves are usually entire, however the upper leaves may contain 3 shallow lobes with or without fine hairs. The leaves grow 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 cm) in length.
Fruits: Capsules containing 2-cells and many seeds are produced. The capsules are approximately 1/2 of an inch (9 to 12 mm) in length.
DESCRIPTION:
Indian Paint Brush grows through our region, and lights up the high elevation.
As they start growing, they are a light green, until the red takes over.
They usually grow in clumps that can have many stems with one flower per stem.
In different climates they can range in colors
As they start growing, they are a light green, until the red takes over.
They usually grow in clumps that can have many stems with one flower per stem.
In different climates they can range in colors
PHOTO GALLERY
