Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta
Photo: parent species Castilleja exserta · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by bright rose-red bracts and yellow-orange flower pouches.
Purple owl's clover is a California native annual found in the western Mojave Desert in dry sandy washes at elevations of 600 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright rose-red flowers with distinctive yellow to orange-tipped pouch-like corollas. Growing with slender stems that reach 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it displays delicate branching characteristics typical of owl's clover species. Its bracts are narrow, generally less than 5 millimeters wide, with lobes longer than 2 millimeters and colored in dark red with deep pink or purple tips. The plant's vibrant coloration and unique flower structure make it a striking component of its desert habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by bright rose-red bracts and yellow-orange flower pouches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry sand, washes
Elevation: 600-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta blooms Mar-May.
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 exserta subsp. venusta native to California?
Yes. Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta bloom?
Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta grow?
Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 600-1500 m.
What plant family does Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta belong to?
Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta grow in?
Castilleja exserta subsp. venusta grows in Dry sand, washes.
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.