Castilleja latifolia
Monterey coast paintbrush, Monterey Coast Paintbrush
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Castilleja latifolia (Monterey coast paintbrush) is a native California subshrub in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric species - geographically isolated.
Monterey coast paintbrush is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the central California Coast bioregion in coastal dunes and scrub at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from March to September, this plant produces bright red to yellow flowers on bracts 15 to 20 millimeters long with widely wedge-shaped forms. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall with gray-green stems that become purplish and somewhat bristly, it develops many short axillary shoots. Its leaves are relatively fleshy, 5 to 20 millimeters long, ranging from oblong to rounded with zero to three truncate-rounded lobes. The plant produces fruits 12 to 20 millimeters long with deeply netted seeds that have distinctive ladder-like walls.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric species - geographically isolated
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal dunes, scrub
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: San Francisco, Monterey, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Lake, Napa, Trinity, Marin, Santa Cruz, Alameda, Santa Barbara, Mendocino
Bloom period
Castilleja latifolia blooms Mar-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 latifolia native to California?
Yes. Castilleja latifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja latifolia bloom?
Castilleja latifolia blooms Mar-Sep.
Where in California does Castilleja latifolia grow?
Castilleja latifolia occurs in San Francisco, Monterey, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Lake and other counties, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Castilleja latifolia belong to?
Castilleja latifolia is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
Is Castilleja latifolia rare or endangered?
Castilleja latifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.