Giant Red Indian Paintbrush

Castilleja miniata

Native to:
Canada, Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Orobanchaceae
Genus:
Castilleja
Species:
Castilleja miniata
USDA Symbol:
CAMI12

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb , Subshrub
Height:
80 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
red, orange, yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Hummingbirds:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Gillette's checkerspot (Euphydryas gillettii)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
hummingbirds, butterflies, bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from root crown after fire; often increases in abundance in post-fire meadow communities.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
often found in meadows and open woods

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Hemiparasitic; requires host plant roots for successful establishment. Light aids germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).

Notes: Seeds require cold-moist stratification for optimal germination.

Source: Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C for 3 months, then place @ 4°C for 3 months. * remove seed coat, plant together with Penstemon strictus as host in sterile soil

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society