Exserted Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja exserta
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © morganstickrod (iNaturalist #25324426)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus:
- Castilleja
- Species:
- Castilleja exserta
- USDA Symbol:
- CAEX14
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Parasite
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- red, pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
common flower moth (Schinia pulchripennis), Schinia cupes, Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Tropical Buckeye (Junonia evarete), Variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after fire in chaparral ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in open grasslands and slopes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; surface sow on moist medium.