XCastilleja sessiliflora - Plains PaintbrushX
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Plains Paintbrush -or- Downy Paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora), family re-classed to Orobanchaceae (Broomrape) from Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) around 2001.
This is a distinct paintbrush. It's spiky appearance helps mark it's identity. These perennial herbs are native to North America. They provide an important nectar source to the lovely Broad-tailed Hummingbird, as well as other insects. There are about 200 total species in the genus, which was named to honor an eighteenth century Spanish botanist - Domingo Castillejo. The plants are great survivors in poor conditions. They have a high tolerance for drought and nutrient deficient soil. The male and female flowers differ in appearance from one another.
USES: From the website Native American Ethnobotany is this: Menominee Flowers and leaves macerated in bear grease & used as invigorating hair oil. Cheyenne - Flowers sucked for nectar in spring.
Wikipedia has more: The flowers of Indian paintbrush are edible and sweet, and were consumed in moderation by various Native American tribes as a condiment with other fresh greens. These plants have a tendency to absorb and concentrate selenium in their tissues from the soils in which they grow, and can be potentially very toxic if the roots or green parts of the plant are consumed. Highly alkaline soils increase the selenium levels in the plants. The Ojibwe used a hairwash made from Indian Paintbrush to make their hair glossy and full bodied and as a treatment for rheumatism. The high selenium content of this plant has been cited as the reason for its effectiveness for these purposes. Nevada Indian tribes used the plant to treat sexually-transmitted diseases and to enhance the immune system. Indian paintbrush has similar health benefits to consuming garlic if only the flowers are eaten in small amounts and in moderation.' End quote.
Fun Fact: If Paintbrush roots encounter roots of other plants they will penetrate these roots for nourishment, since they are partially parasitic. More interesting information on this genus can be found at Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.
See our other paintbrushes: Harsh Indian Paintbrush <> Wholeleaf Indian Paintbrush <> Western Indian Paintbrush <> Alpine Paintbrush and Rosy Paintbrush
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Plant location: Boulder County Open Space, the Coal Seam Trail, Colorado. The date sighted was May 18, 2009. This species commonly is found at elevations of 4000 to 7000'. Found in these United States: AZ, CO, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, WI, WY. The plants are plains dwellers found in outwash mesas and grassy plains.Plant -
Bloom period: April to July.Foliage -
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