Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Castilleja caudata
Castilleja caudata (Pennell) Rebr.
Port Clarence Indian Paintbrush, Port Clarence Indian-paintbrush, Pale Indian Paintbrush
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CACA20
USDA Native Status: AK (N), CAN (N)
This species has a few to several, erect, often branched stems up to 16 in. long. Leaves, the lower narrowly lanceolate, the upper with a distinct, long, tail-like tip, are finely hairy below. The showy part of the inflorescence are the hairy, greenish-yellow bracts.
Roots grow until they touch the roots of other plants, frequently grasses, then penetrate the roots of these host plants, obtaining a portion of their nutrients. Transplanting paintbrush usually kills it.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 22 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Green , Purple , BrownBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AKNative Distribution: Most of AK except the s. coast, into the Yukon
Native Habitat: Stream banks; lake shores; tundra; mt. meadows
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Roots grow until they touch the roots of other plants, frequently grasses, then penetrate the roots of these host plants, obtaining a portion of their nutrients. Transplanting paintbrush usually kills it.
Web Reference
Webref 61 - Alaska Wildflowers (2020)Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Castilleja caudata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Castilleja caudata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Castilleja caudata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-28Research By: TWC Staff