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Prairie Paintbrush

Castilleja purpurea

Other common name(s):

Downy Indian Paintbrush, Purple Paintbrush, Lemon Paintbrush, Purple Painted Cup

Family:

Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

.5
to
1.5
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Calcareous, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Hummingbirds, Bees

Maintenance

Grows best when planted among short or tall prairie grass, because its roots are semi-parasitic on grass roots. Cut flower stalks when brown. Propagation: Seed. Spread seed in well drained soil.

Comments

Blooms April-June. This species of Indian Paintbrush has floral bracts usually purple, purplish red, or purplish pink but they can also be red, orange, yellow, or white. Where populations meet, the varieties hybridize for an even broader range of colors. It is semi-parasitic on grass roots, making it ideal for meadow and prairie plantings. Pollination: Hummingbirds, bees.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CAPU11. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=16351&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 183, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=33077#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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