Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida
Photo: parent species Castilleja applegatei · (c) Rob Santry, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida is a native California subshrub in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by high elevation and small size distinctive.
Pale paintbrush is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Great Basin in dry rocky slopes and red-fir forests to alpine barrens at elevations of 1,900 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces yellow to orange-red flowers with a long beak 7 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in harsh alpine environments. Its leaves are divided into three distinctive lobes, creating a delicate, finely structured appearance. The flowers have a complex calyx divided deeply into lanceolate, acute lobes, giving the plant an intricate and elegant profile.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species, high elevation and small size distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry rocky slopes and flats, red-fir forest to alpine barrens
Elevation: 1900-3600 m
California counties: Mono, Tulare, Alpine, Fresno, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Inyo, El Dorado, Madera, Amador, Kern, Plumas, Trinity, Lassen, Placer, Siskiyou
Bloom period
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida blooms Jun-Aug.
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 applegatei subsp. pallida native to California?
Yes. Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida bloom?
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida grow?
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida occurs in Mono, Tulare, Alpine, Fresno, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Inyo, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of 1900-3600 m.
What plant family does Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida belong to?
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida grow in?
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pallida grows in Dry rocky slopes and flats, red-fir forest to alpine barrens.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.