Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum
Photo: parent species Castilleja applegatei · (c) Rob Santry, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum is a native California subshrub in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by northern montane distribution and moderate size.
Applegate's paintbrush is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and northern Desert Mountains in open conifer forests and dry sagebrush scrub at elevations of 300 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces vibrant red to yellow-orange bracts surrounding small white flowers. Growing with robust stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall, it forms distinctive clumps in alpine and montane habitats. Its leaves are typically without distinct lobes, with slender, narrow divisions that blend into the plant's overall delicate structure. The flowers feature an elongated calyx with lanceolate lobes and a prominent corolla beak 11 to 16 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 31 sympatric species, northern montane distribution and moderate size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open conifer forest, dry sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 300-3600 m
California counties: Humboldt, Tuolumne, Del Norte, Tulare, Modoc, Trinity, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Tehama, Mono, Fresno, El Dorado, Shasta, Lake, Plumas, Inyo, Ventura, Lassen, Placer, Butte, Solano, Glenn, Sierra, Nevada, Alpine, Kern, Yuba, Amador, Yolo, Calaveras, Madera, Mendocino, Napa, Colusa, San Bernardino, San Diego, Los Angeles
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho
Bloom period
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum 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. pinetorum native to California?
Yes. Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum bloom?
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum grow?
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum occurs in Humboldt, Tuolumne, Del Norte, Tulare, Modoc, Trinity, Mariposa, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of 300-3600 m.
What plant family does Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum belong to?
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum grow in?
Castilleja applegatei subsp. pinetorum grows in Open conifer forest, dry sagebrush scrub.
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.