Indian Paintbrush
How to Identify the Indian Paintbrush
Upright stems growing 15–60 cm tall (≈ 6–24 in), topped by dense, bright clusters that look as if tipped in red, orange, or yellow paint. The vivid color comes from modified leaves called bracts, which surround the smaller, tube-like green flowers.
Typically blooms from late spring through early summer (May to July).
Where to Look
Found in open, sunny habitats including moist meadows, open woodlands, and nutrient-poor sandy or peaty soils.
As hemiparasites, they grow intermingled with native grasses and prairie forbs, extending specialized subterranean connections (haustoria) to tap into their neighbors' root systems for water and nutrients.
How to Protect Local Populations
Never dig up or attempt to transplant wild plants; Castilleja species almost always die when moved because severing their parasitic connections to host plant roots starves them.
Support meadow and grassland preservation by limiting foot traffic off established paths and maintaining surrounding native host species like grasses and prairie perennials.
Tompkins County Status: Endangered
5 or fewer extant sites, or
fewer than 1,000 individuals, or
restricted to fewer than 4 U.S.G.S. 7 1/2 minute topographical maps, or
species listed as endangered by the U. S. Department of Interior, as enumerated in the Code of Federal Regulations 50 CFR 17.11.
Castilleja coccinea
A Note from the Sponsor:
Cornell Cooperative Extension “CCE” Tompkins acts as a local resource hub connecting people with the information they need on topics such as commercial and consumer agriculture; nutrition and health; youth and families; finances; energy efficiency; economic and community development; and sustainable natural resources. Their Smart Energy Choices Program provides free energy advising for homeowners, renters, small businesses, and non-profits through CCE offices all over the Southern Tier of New York State. There are programs available for all income levels for weatherization, heating systems, solar, and utility bill discounts. You can learn more by visiting ccetompkins.org and https://smartenergychoices.org/.