Castilleja chromosa – “Desert Indian Paintbrush”

Other Botanical Names: Castilleja angustifolia var. dubia

Family: Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)

Bloom Period: May-Oct

Form: Perennial herb

Habitat: Rocky or gravelly soils

Leaves: Lanceolate; alternate

Translation: “Castilleja” is named for D. Castilleja, a Spanish botanist; “chromosa” comes from the Greek “chroma,” for “color”; “angustifolia” is Latin for “narrow-leaved”; “dubia” is Latin for “doubtful” in the sense of not conforming to an expected pattern.

Notes: According to MacKay: “Members of the genus Castilleja show variable degrees of root-parasitism. Some species have seeds that will sprout only if a suitable host is present, probably in response to a chemical given off by the root. The young seedlings sink root-like projections called haustoria into the host tissues to absorb water and food. Plants grown in the greenhouse without a host are much less vigorous than plants in the field.”

Native American Uses: The Navajo used the plant for gastrointestinal complaints.

Animal Associations: Nectar source for Leanira Checkerspot butterfly.