Desert Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja angustifolia
Indian paintbrush stands under half a meter in height having bristly gray-green to purple-red herbage standing in a clump of erect stems. Each stem is topped with somewhat tubular yellow green flowers. The flowers are encased in bright red to orange-red bracts This plant is an herbaceous perennial that grows within the desert scrub and woodlands. The above-ground growth dies annually but the roots live on in the soil allowing the plant to survive until conditions are once again favorable. Commonly found on dry and rocky slopes of the Mojave Desert in sagebrush and shadscale scrub, Joshua tree and pinyon-juniper woodland to 8000'.
Blooms from April to August.
Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae)
In the quest to reproduce and ensure survival of their species, most plants and animals need to attract either a mate or a helper. To make seeds, many flowers require the assistance of a bird, bee, butterfly or other insect. However, not all plants produce large, luscious blooms. Some, like the Desert Paintbrush (Castillege angustifolia), grow small, inconspicuous flowers that fail to attract the attention of pollinators. The paintbrushes' tiny flowers- yellow green tubes barely half a millimeter long- would remain forever solitary if it weren't for the help of a special leaf.
To attract visitors, Desert Paintbrush surrounds its small flowers in dazzling capsules of color. Leaf like bracts, grow right below the flowers. When a creature notices the dazzling hue of a paintbrush bloom, it's actually being drawn to the plant's vivid bracts. Dipped in bright red, these leaves exert a powerful tug over hummingbirds, butterflies, and people too.
Desert Paintbrush can be found scattered throughout much of Parashant National Monument. Look for them in habitats ranging from sagebrush-scrub to pinyon-juniper woodlands from March to August.
From: NPS Parashant National Monument Arizona
