Castilleja mendocinensis
Mendocino coast paintbrush, Mendocino Coast Paintbrush
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Hilton · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Castilleja mendocinensis (Mendocino coast paintbrush) is a native California subshrub in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by sprawling habit and shaggy-bristly hairs.
Mendocino coast paintbrush is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central North Coast region of Mendocino County in coastal scrub at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces bright red to orange-red flowers on bracts 15 to 20 millimeters long with widely wedge-shaped profiles. Growing 40 to 60 centimeters tall with a decumbent to ascending form, it develops much-branched stems that are gray-green and shaggy-bristly. Its leaves are 5 to 20 millimeters long, somewhat fleshy, and range from oblong to rounded with zero to three truncate-rounded lobes. The plant's distinctive coral-colored bracts and shaggy-textured growth make it a striking component of coastal Mendocino County's scrubland ecosystem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; distinguished by sprawling habit and shaggy-bristly hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Mendocino, Alameda, Humboldt, Marin
Bloom period
Castilleja mendocinensis blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 mendocinensis native to California?
Yes. Castilleja mendocinensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja mendocinensis bloom?
Castilleja mendocinensis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Castilleja mendocinensis grow?
Castilleja mendocinensis occurs in Mendocino, Alameda, Humboldt, Marin, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Castilleja mendocinensis belong to?
Castilleja mendocinensis is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
Is Castilleja mendocinensis rare or endangered?
Castilleja mendocinensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.