Giant Red Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja miniata
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © ama75 (iNaturalist #85544270)






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