Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis
Oregon coast paintbrush, Oregon Coast Paintbrush
no rights reserved, uploaded by Scott Loarie · CC0
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis (Oregon coast paintbrush) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family.
Oregon coast paintbrush is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern and central coastal California bioregions on generally dry sea bluffs at elevations below 160 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces bright red to orange-red flowers in inflorescences 30 to 50 millimeters wide with distinctively obtuse bract lobes. Growing with slender stems to 30 to 50 centimeters tall, the plant is glabrous to sparsely puberulent with a delicate appearance. Its leaves are approximately 30 to 80 millimeters long, oblong in shape and generally entire, creating a clean, simple foliage structure. The flower's corolla ranges from 25 to 40 millimeters long, with a calyx 20 to 25 millimeters in length featuring obtuse lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated, restricted to dry sea bluffs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally dry sea bluffs
Elevation: < 160 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Alameda, San Mateo
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Triphysaria: Castilleja lacks the sharp fold in flower throat; Triphysaria has abrupt crease above lower lip.; vs Trifolium: Castilleja has tubular flowers with colorful bracts; Trifolium has round heads of pea-like flowers and three leaflets.; vs Pedicularis: Castilleja has open forward beak and colorful bracts; Pedicularis has closed hood and fern-like leaves.; vs Orthocarpus: Castilleja has open beak you can see into; Orthocarpus has closed hood covering stamens completely.; vs Epilobium: Castilleja has tubular two-lipped flowers and colorful bracts; Epilobium has four separate petals arranged in cross.
Frequently asked questions
Is Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis native to California?
Yes. Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis bloom?
Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis grow?
Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Alameda, San Mateo, at elevations of < 160 m.
What plant family does Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis belong to?
Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
Is Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis rare or endangered?
Castilleja affinis subsp. litoralis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Castilleja affinis subsp. neglecta — Tiburon paintbrush
- Castilleja ambigua — Johnny-nip
- Castilleja ambigua subsp. ambigua — johnny-nip
- Castilleja ambigua subsp. humboldtiensis — Humboldt bay owl's-clover
- Castilleja ambigua subsp. insalutata — pink Johnny-nip
- Castilleja ambigua var. heckardii — Heckard's owl's- clover
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.