Indian Paintbrush

Photo Courtesy Katie Walberg Photo Courtesy Katie Walberg

Indian Paintbrush Castilleja coccinea Full sun, moderately wet to moderately dry moisture level, sandy soil, mildly acidic to slightly alkaline pH.  1-2 ft. height, blooms late spring through summer, orange-red flowers, poor re-seeder. Germination code:  C(60), K, D.  Difficult from seed. Native region:  Isolated counties in Middle and East Tennessee Primarily a biennial.  This plant is semi-parasitic.  Roots grow until they touch the roots of other plants, usually grasses, and then penetrate the roots of the host plant to gain a portion of their nutrients.  Name comes from resemblance to a brush dipped in paint.  Attracts hummingbirds. flower;sun;wet;sand flower;sun;medium;sand flower;sun;dry;sand