Also called: Indian Paintbrush Castilleja miniata Castilleja named after the 18th C. Spanish botanist Domingo Castillejo; miniata Cinnabar red.

Description. Paintbrush is a perennial of the Figwort family. It grows up to 80cm (30”) tall and has sharp narrow leaves that grow up un-branched stems ending in the familiar paintbrush looking red bloom. Paintbrush can be found in dry and moist forests, in open grassy fields and on the disturbed soils of roadsides. This plant may bloom all summer.

Historical plant use. Paintbrush was considered sacred by Native Peoples.

Unusual aspects of this plant. Within the “bloom” (modified leaves or bracts) is hidden the real flower with it’s greenish petals tipped red. The Common Red Paintbrush is semi-parasitic. It’s roots must attach to the roots of other plants to obtain nourishment for survival. For this reason, if you try to transplant Paintbrush, it will die.