Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Castilleja miniata is a species of Indian paintbrush known by the common name giant red Indian paintbrush. It is native to western North America from Alaska to Ontario to California to New Mexico, where it grows usually in moist places in a wide variety of habitat types. This wildflower is a perennial herb growing up to about 80 centimeters tall, slender and green to dark purple in herbage color. The lance-shaped leaves are 3 to 6 centimeters long, pointed, and coated in thin hairs. The flower cluster is made up of bright red to pale orange or orange-tipped leafs. Between the leafs emerge the yellow-green, red-edged tubular flowers.

Plant type

Annual herb, Perennial herb

Size

3 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Red, Orange

Flowering season

Summer

Sun

Partial Shade

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment. Sow with seeds of an herbaceous perennial as some Castilleja species are obligate parasites. Bouteloua gracilis has been recommended as host.

Site type

Moist places

Plant communities

Lodgepole Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 15 likely

Confirmed Likely

Anicia Checkerspot

Euphydryas anicia

Adela flammeusella

Geranium Plume Moth

Amblyptilia pica

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana