Plant Data Sheet
1 
2
Species
(common name, Latin name)
Common
Red Paintbrush, Castilleja miniata
Range
Widely
distributed from southern Alaska to Southern California, New Mexico and
Arizona, missing the coast ranges of Oregon and California. This species
is highly variable.
Climate, elevation
Found
in moist and dry places at middle elevations in the mountains.
Local
occurrence (where, how common)
Fairly common in both the Cascades and
the Olympic Mountains.
Habitat
preferences
Prefers
meadows and slopes at medium and lower elevations in the mountains. Found in open woods and meadows (both dry and
moist) thickets, grassy slopes, clearings, roadsides.
Plant
strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral,
late successional)
Is
reported to be somewhat parasitic and requires a host plant.
Associated
species
Although
this plant requires a host species, it does not seem to be particularly
associated with any one host plant.
Composites, grasses and legumes are the most common.
May be collected as: (seed, layered,
divisions, etc.)
C.
miniata flowers from May to September. Allow seed
pods to dry on the plant before collecting. Plants may also be divided, but be
aware that they may be parasitic to roots of other plants.
Collection
restrictions or guidelines
If
collecting seeds or plants in national parks or forest, please refer to their
guidelines for gathering and removing plant materials.
Seed
germination (needs dormancy breaking?)
Cold stratification for 3 months or
direct sow outside in the fall.
If starting indoors, stratify first.
Seed
life (can be stored, short shelf-life, long shelf-life)
Unknown
Recommended
seed storage conditions
Unknown
Propagation
recommendations (plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
There
are conflicting reports of the viability of using divisions of the rootball for propagative purposes
due to the plant’s parasitic nature. Most sources recommend sowing seeds for C.
miniata because of this. Transplanting is not recommended.
Soil or medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)
Requires
open, quick-draining, but moisture retentive and deep soils of moderate
fertility. Prefers a
neutral Ph.
Installation
form (form, potential for successful outcomes, cost)
Seeds
have a high rate of germination, and therefore cost should be reasonable,
especially if collecting the seeds yourself.
Recommended
planting density
It
is recommended that you sow seeds amongst other plants so that a relationship
can be established with the host plant.
Care
requirements after installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
Heavy
fertilizing is highly recommended in the establishment phase. Water normally.
Keep the host plants maintained so that they do not overtake C. miniata while it is trying to establish.
Normal
rate of growth or spread; lifespan
Unknown
Photo
sources
1 http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2005/05/post_2.php
2 www.mnstate.edu/
kienholz/mt_flowers_3.htm
Sources cited
Clark, Lewis J. Wild Flowers of the Pacific Northwest from Alaska to Northern California. Vancouver, BC: Evergreen Publishing Limited, 1976.
Dave’s Garden, Plant Files. 26
April 2006. < http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1009/index.html>.
Foster, H.
Lincoln. Rock Gardening. A guide to Growing Alpines and Other Wildflowers in
the American Garden. New York: Bonanza Books, 1968.
Glicenstein, Leon. Some Native Orchids of Northeastern USA. 26 April 2006. <http://www.hoosierorchid.com/article_snoneusa.pdf >.
Hitchcock,
C. Leo and Arthur Cronquist. Flora
of the Pacific Northwest: An illustrated Manual. Seattle: University of
Washington Press, 1973.
Hitchcock, Cronquist, Ownbey and Thompson. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Parts 1-5. Seattle, Wa: University of Washington Press, 1961.
Lawrence,
Beth. Studies to Facilitate Reintroduction of Golden
Paintbrush (Castilleja. Thesis.
Oregon State University, December 2005. 10 May 2006
<http://www.appliedeco.org/Reports/
LawrenceThesis/Lawrence_Thesis_CHAPTER%205%20Growing%20Castilleja.pdf>.
Data
compiled by (student name and date)
Molly Deardorff
May 10, 2006