Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata
Photo: parent species Castilleja miniata · (c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata is a native California subshrub in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by distinctive tall stature, bright red flowers, and wet habitat preference.
Scarlet Indian paintbrush is a California native perennial found in the northwestern California, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, central Coast, southern Coast Ranges, southwestern California, and Great Basin regions in wet montane meadows and streambank habitats at elevations of 1,500 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces bright red to orange-red flowers with a corolla 20 to 40 millimeters long, creating vibrant clusters that illuminate mountain landscapes. Growing with stout stems reaching moderate heights, it develops robust and striking inflorescences that stand out in alpine and subalpine environments. Its leaves are arranged along the stem, complementing the dramatic red flowering bracts that characterize this eye-catching paintbrush species. The fruit develops to approximately 10 to 12 millimeters long, completing its reproductive cycle in high-elevation mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species; distinctive tall stature, bright red flowers, and wet habitat preference
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Wet montane meadows, streambanks
Elevation: (350)1500-3500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Colusa, Los Angeles, Mono, Shasta, Tulare, Nevada, Riverside, El Dorado, Plumas, San Luis Obispo, Inyo, Sierra, Glenn, Fresno, Placer, San Benito, Tehama, Santa Barbara, Alpine, San Diego, Amador, Humboldt, Lassen, Trinity, Madera, Sonoma, Tuolumne, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Mariposa, Lake
Bloom period
Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata 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 miniata subsp. miniata native to California?
Yes. Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata bloom?
Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata grow?
Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata occurs in San Bernardino, Colusa, Los Angeles, Mono, Shasta, Tulare, Nevada, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of (350)1500-3500 m.
What plant family does Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata belong to?
Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata grow in?
Castilleja miniata subsp. miniata grows in Common. Wet montane meadows, streambanks.
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.