Castilleja sp.

Indian Paintbrush; Paintbrush

A member of the Scrophulariaceae, the Figwort Family

Habit, in bloom.

Most of the bright red color in these paintbrushes is not in the flowers, but in
specialized leaves called bracts which are situated at the base of the flowers.
The colorful bracts have the same function as petals, though: to attract pollinators
and to provide a surface for pollinators to rest upon, a landing platform.

Along Ivanpah Road at the end of the pavement east of Ivanpah, at ca. 3900 feet.

6 April 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Inflorescence detail.

The greenish tubular structures seen in the image are the actual corollas of
the flowers, and these are enveloped by the shorter reddish calyx, the outer part
of a flower which is more commonly green in other kinds of plants.

Same plant as in prior image.

6 April 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Habitat, with tape measure for scale in inches.

Paintbrushes parasitize the roots of other plants, obtaining some extra nourishment.
This being the case, they are not found by themselves, but always growing among other
plants.  In this image, the paintbrush is probably connected underground to the
snakeweed (Gutierrezia) subshrubs which flank it on both sides.

Same plant as in prior image.

6 April 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Habitat.

Along Hole in the Wall to Mid Hills Trail at ca. 4600 feet elevation.
These appear to be the same species of Castilleja as in the upper images,
but this is a difficult group to determine to species.

7 April 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Habit, with tape for scale in inches.

Some location as prior image.
This one appears to be growing from the base of an Eriogonum, its apparent host.

7 April 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Inflorescence detail.

Some plant as in image above.

7 April 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Stem detail showing bracts.
The higher the bracts are on the stem, the more red pigment they display.

Some plant as in image above.

7 April 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Seed capsules from a prior year.

Some plant as in image above.

7 April 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.