Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Castilleja densiflora is a herbaceous flowering plant species known by the common name denseflower Indian paintbrush. Like other members of the Indian paintbrushs it is a root-parasite. It is native to California and northern Baja California, where it grows in grassland and chaparral habitat. It is a variable species. It is generally 10 to 40 centimeters tall with linear or lance-shaped leaves up to 8 centimeters long, and with or without lobes. The inflorescence is as small as 3 centimeters or as long as 25 centimeters in length, and has bracts tipped in white to dull or bright pink or purple. Between the bracts appear the flowers, which are somewhat rounded and pouched, and white to yellow to pink or purple in color.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

4 - 16 in Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Purple

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Coastal Scrub, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

3 confirmed and 13 likely

Confirmed Likely

Variable Checkerspot

Euphydryas chalcedona

Edith's Checkerspot

Euphydryas editha

Bay Checkerspot

Euphydryas editha bayensis

Adela flammeusella