Castilleja linariifolia

(Wyoming Paintbrush)

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Castilleja linariifolia, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4414

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Castilleja linariifolia, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4406

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Castilleja linariifolia, Breakneck Pass, Park Co. 4560

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Castilleja linariifolia, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes 8967

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Castilleja linariifolia, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes 8963

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Castilleja linariifolia, FR 265, Gunnison County 8340

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Castilleja linariifolia, Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4411

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Leaves of Castilleja linariifolia, FR 265, Gunnison County 8346

Scientific Name Castilleja linariifolia USDA PLANTS Symbol CALI4
Common Name Wyoming Paintbrush, Narrow-leaf Paintbrush ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 33138
Family Orobanchaceae (Broomrape) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (4800 to 10800 ft.); dry, sunny areas in meadows, forests, hillsides.
Plant: Erect, usually branched perennial, 6 to 36 inches tall; stems greenish-purple.
Leaves: Alternate, very narrow linear leaves, edges entire or with lateral lobes on upper leaves.
Inflorescence: Dense spikes 2 to 8 inches long of several to many blossoms comprised of thin greenish-yellow corolla tubes surrounded and mostly enclosed by the calyx of leaf-like showy bracts, green at the bases becoming red or red-orange toward the tips, narrowly 3-lobed, 5/8 to 1-3/4 inches long, somewhat hairy to smooth; early the corolla tubes are almost completely hidden by the calyx; maturing flower tubes become more prominent, extending 1-1/2 to twice the length of the calyx.
Bloom Period: June to September.
Notes: Differences with C. miniata below include bracts that have more green, and the life zone occurence, normally being found at lower elevations. C. linariifolia is the State flower of Wyoming.
References: "Flora of Colorado" Jennifer Ackerfield, SEINet and American Southwest.
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