They were added as condiment with other fresh greens, and consumed in moderation by various Native American tribes. The flowers of Indian paintbrush are edible and are said to be sweet tasting. Indian paintbrush seed is so tiny you can plant a whole acre with several handfuls and there are millions of seeds in one pound! Because there are no places to perch on the paintbrush, the plant requires “hovering” insects and birds for pollination. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).Ĭastilleja are eaten by the larvae of some moths and butterflies. Other years, paintbrush is spectacular, and this might be because of the parasitism. In some years, when bluebonnets (which flower at approximately the same time as Indian paintbrush) are especially colorful, paintbrush will have only an average flowering year. Dyes have been made from the Indian paintbrush plant. It is easy to see why the plant received its name “paintbrush.” The tops look like they have been dipped in bright red paint. The plant grows in a variety of soils and can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or in sunny locations from mid- to high elevations in forests, roadsides and slopes. Indian paintbrush may also be called “butterfly weed,” “prairie-fire” or “hawkweed” and is a member of the figwort family. It is named after the Spanish botanist Domingo Castillejo. “Castilleja,” commonly known as Indian paintbrush is native to the Americas and it is found from Alaska south to the Andes. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such beauty in the summer. They bloom all over our alpine environment and they seem especially brilliant and abundant this year. Indian paintbrush is another one of my favorite flowers, especially the red and magenta variety. Special to the DailyIndian paintbrush grows in a variety of soils and can grow in semi-shade or in sunny locations.
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