Indian Paintbrush

Castilleja coccinea

flower


The Scarlet Indian Paintbrush stands out boldly on Crex Meadows, drawing ones eyes to it while visiting.

This group of plants was located in the southwest area of Crex Meadows. There were other smaller patches around but not as large or tall. The height of these plants reached or exceeded 24 inches tall.

The flowers on this plant are more orange than red, partially due to lighting conditions. Occasional variations in color include yellow and orange. I am guessing there may be some color impact due to the dry conditions in Crex Meadows during the spring of 2007.

The seed bearing flower is easiest to see in this picture. The tubular shaped mostly green with orange tipped ends is the actual seed bearing portion of the flaming orange flower.

According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website, "Transplanting paintbrush usually kills it."

Common Names include Painted cup, Scarlet Painted Cup, Indian Paintbrush, and Scarlet Indian paintbrush

flowers


Wetland Indicator Status

FAC

Kingdom Plantae Plants
Subkingdom TracheobiontaVascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants
ClassMagnoliopsida Dicotyledons
SubclassAsteridae
Order Scrophulariales
Family ScrophulariaceaeFigwort Family
Genus Castilleja MutisIndian Paintbrush
Species Castilleja coccinea L.scarlet Indian Paintbrush

The range for this plant includes the eastern half of the USA, from Minnesota to Louisiana, eastern parts of Kansas and Oklahoma and north to the Hudson Bay in Canada.

Status of the Scarlet Indian Paintbrush:
Connecticut - Endangered
Kentucky - Endangered
Maine - Possibly Extirpated
Maryland - Endangered
New York - Endangered
Rhode Island - Historical

The picture to the right shows the whole plant as it rises from the ground.

more flowers




The picture on the left was taken looking down onto the top of the plants.


All three pictures were taken June 6, 2007

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