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Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja coccinea

Indian Paintbrush is an annual or biennial prairie species that does well in full sun. Its name comes from the way its small green flowers give way to brilliant red-orange bracts, appearing as if it is dipped in paint.

USDA symbol: CACO17

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height12 to 18 inches
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureDry, Medium, Wet
Bloom ColorRed
Indian Paintbrush (Indian Paintbrush<div><em class="small">Castilleja coccinea</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Wildflowers (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience7
Salt ToleranceLow
Stress ToleranceGeneral Disturbance

Pollinator Value: High

Bloom MonthsMay to September
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Specialists

Project Planning

Project TypeRain Garden, Restoration
Coefficient of Conservatism6
Herbivore SensitivityLow
LifespanAnnual, Biennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Nicollet, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Polk, Ramsey, Red Lake, Roseau, Saint Louis, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands