Cusick's Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja cusickii
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © morganstickrod (iNaturalist #174768129)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus:
- Castilleja
- Species:
- Castilleja cusickii
- USDA Symbol:
- CACU7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Parasite
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; benefits from reduced competition in post-fire environments.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Hemiparasitic; requires host plant roots for establishment. Seeds need light for germination.
Pre-treatment: Two treatments were applied: 5 month outdoor stratification and 90 day cold, moist stratification using moistened paper towels in a refrigerator at 2C.
Establishment: Seeds are collected in early August. The plant grows from 300 to 3,000 meters in elevation; from southwest Alberta, Montana, and Wyoming west through Idaho and eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon.
Source: npn.rngr.net