Castilleja minor
Lesser indian paintbrush
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Castilleja minor (Lesser indian paintbrush) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family.
Lesser indian paintbrush is a California native annual found in open grasslands and meadows, typically at moderate elevations. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces yellow and pale red-tipped flowers with distinctive bracts that have long, tapered red tips. Growing 30 to 150 centimeters tall with a slender, mostly simple green stem that is variously hairy, it has an elegant, upright form. Its leaves are lance-linear, reaching 40 to 100 millimeters long and remaining entirely whole, providing a clean, streamlined appearance. The plant produces small fruits 10 to 15 millimeters long with intricate, ladder-like seed coatings that highlight its subtle botanical complexity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated from all congeners
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, San Diego, Riverside, Sierra, Monterey, Mariposa, Ventura
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 minor native to California?
Yes. Castilleja minor is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Castilleja minor grow?
Castilleja minor occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, San Diego, Riverside, Sierra, Monterey and other counties.
What plant family does Castilleja minor belong to?
Castilleja minor is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
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.