Coast Indian paintbrush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coast Indian paintbrush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Castilleja
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| Species: |
affinis
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The Coast Indian paintbrush (scientific name: Castilleja affinis) is a beautiful wild flower. It's a type of plant known as an Indian paintbrush.
You can find this plant growing in western North America. It lives in places from Washington down to Baja California in Mexico. It likes to grow on hills and mountain slopes, both near the coast and further inland.
What Does It Look Like?
This plant is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years. It grows a straight stem that can reach about 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) tall.
The stem and leaves can be green or even a bit purple. They might be smooth or have lots of tiny hairs. The leaves can be different shapes and grow up to 8 centimeters long.
The most striking part is its inflorescence. This is a fancy word for how the flowers are arranged. It looks like a cluster of colorful leaves called bracts. These bracts can be bright red or yellowish.
The actual flowers are a bit longer than the bracts and are covered in hairs. They are usually green or purple, often with red or yellow lines. After the flowers, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a small, dry pod called a capsule, which is just over a centimeter long.
Different Types of Coast Indian Paintbrush
There are three main types, or subspecies, of the Coast Indian paintbrush. A subspecies is a group of plants within a species that are a bit different from each other.
- The subspecies littoralis grows along the coast. You can find it in northern California and Oregon.
- The subspecies neglecta is also called the Tiburon paintbrush. This type is very rare. It's only found in a few spots around the San Francisco Bay Area. Because it's so rare, it's listed as an endangered species. This means it's protected by law to help it survive.
- The subspecies affinis is the most common and widespread type. You'll see this one in many places where the Coast Indian paintbrush grows.
