Castilleja integra
(Whole-leaf Indian Paintbrush)
Castilleja integra, Fourmile Area, Chaffee Co. 6324
Castilleja integra, Fourmile Area, Chaffee Co. 6632/6639
Castilleja integra, Fourmile Area, Chaffee Co. 6617/6621
Leaves, Castilleja integra, Fourmile Area, Chaffee Co. 6323
| Scientific Name | Castilleja integra | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CAIN14 |
| Common Name | Wholeleaf Indian Paintbrush, Squawfeather | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 33131 |
| Family | Orobanchaceae (Broomrape) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Life zones and habitat: Plains to montane (5100 to 10200 ft.); dry areas, sagebrush meadows, woodlands, etc. Plant: Erect perennial 6 to 16 inches tall with clusters of unbranched, hairy stems. Leaves: Alternate, stalkless, undivided blades linear to linear-lanceolate, 3/4 to 2-3/4 inches long; smooth edges, sometimes rolled-up; green to reddish-green; upper surfaces smooth, lower with matted, short woolly hairs. Inflorescence: Dense spikes 1 to 4 inches long of several to many blossoms comprised of thin greenish tubes surrounded and enclosed by leaf-like colorful bracts, green at the bases becoming red-orange toward the tips; early the green, tubular flowers are almost completely hidden by the showy bracts that are longer than the flower, obovate, 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long, hairy, and occasionally divided into 3 sharp lobes, the lateral lobes much smaller than the central lobe. Maturing flower tubes become more prominent. Bloom Period: May to July. References: SEINet and American Southwest and "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains