Castilleja lineariloba
Sagebrush indian paintbrush
(c) Lindsey Salmonson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Castilleja lineariloba (Sagebrush indian paintbrush) is a native California annual in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by 5-7 linear bract lobes and cream/pale yellow color.
Sagebrush indian paintbrush is a California native annual found in the central Sierra Nevada and Sierra Nevada Foothill regions in grassland habitats at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pale yellow and pale purple flowers with cream-tipped bracts in compact inflorescences 2 to 5 centimeters long. Growing with stiffly spreading stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall and glandular-hairy throughout, it develops a distinctive growth habit. Its leaves are lance-linear, ranging 20 to 75 millimeters long, with 0 to 7 narrow lobes that contribute to its delicate appearance. The flower's corolla features a straight 4 to 5 millimeter beak and lower lip with purple-dotted pouches, adding intricate visual complexity to this slender annual.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 31 sympatric species; distinguished by 5-7 linear bract lobes and cream/pale yellow color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland
Elevation: < 1800 m
California counties: Madera, Kern, Tulare, Fresno, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Mariposa, El Dorado, Calaveras, Butte, Nevada, Tehama, Shasta, Amador, Stanislaus, Placer, Yolo, Plumas, Yuba
Bloom period
Castilleja lineariloba blooms Apr-Jun.
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 lineariloba native to California?
Yes. Castilleja lineariloba is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja lineariloba bloom?
Castilleja lineariloba blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Castilleja lineariloba grow?
Castilleja lineariloba occurs in Madera, Kern, Tulare, Fresno, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Mariposa, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of < 1800 m.
What plant family does Castilleja lineariloba belong to?
Castilleja lineariloba is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja lineariloba grow in?
Castilleja lineariloba grows in Grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.