Castilleja chromosa
Desert paintbrush
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Castilleja chromosa (Desert paintbrush) is a native California perennial in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by but distinctive habitat and gray-green appearance.
Desert paintbrush is a California native perennial found in the Great Basin, southern Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert, and eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in dry sagebrush scrub and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations below 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces bright red to yellow-orange flowers along bracts 20 to 30 millimeters long, creating vivid color displays against its gray-green foliage. Growing with few-branched stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it develops a distinctive grayish appearance with bristly, unbranched hairs. Its lance-linear leaves feature 3 to 5 widely spreading lobes extending 20 to 70 millimeters, contributing to its delicate and intricate structure. The fruit develops 10 to 15 millimeters long, with seeds featuring a deeply netted coat that creates an intricate ladder-like pattern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species, but distinctive habitat and gray-green appearance
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: < 3000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Tulare, Mono, Lassen, Riverside, Modoc, Fresno, Shasta, Alpine, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Plumas, Placer, Ventura
Outside California: to Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Castilleja chromosa blooms May-Sep.
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 chromosa native to California?
Yes. Castilleja chromosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja chromosa bloom?
Castilleja chromosa blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Castilleja chromosa grow?
Castilleja chromosa occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Tulare, Mono, Lassen, Riverside, Modoc and other counties, at elevations of < 3000 m.
What plant family does Castilleja chromosa belong to?
Castilleja chromosa is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja chromosa grow in?
Castilleja chromosa grows in Dry sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.