Coast Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja affinis
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © leafybye (iNaturalist #64239142)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus:
- Castilleja
- Species:
- Castilleja affinis
- USDA Symbol:
- CAAF
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- red, orange, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
blackberry skeletonizer (Schreckensteinia felicella), orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Stenoptilodes albiciliata, ⚠️Edith's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha), Thessalia leanira, Variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; benefits from fire disturbance that reduces competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in coastal scrub and chaparral regions.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Hemiparasitic; requires host plant roots nearby for successful establishment. Seeds need light for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI