Castilleja minor subsp. minor
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Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Castilleja minor subsp. minor is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by distinctive shaggy-glandular hairs and alkaline marsh habitat.
Yellow-flowered Indian paintbrush is a native annual herb found in the Great Basin in alkaline marshes at elevations of 850 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow flowers with a corolla 15 to 20 millimeters long, occasionally reaching 30 millimeters. Growing with shaggy, glandular-hairy stems, it forms a delicate and distinctive annual herb. Its leaves and stems are covered in glandular hairs, giving the plant a soft, shaggy appearance that helps it stand out in alkaline marsh environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; distinctive shaggy-glandular hairs and alkaline marsh habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline marshes
Elevation: 850-2300 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen, Lake
Outside California: to Washington, New Mexico
Bloom period
Castilleja minor subsp. minor blooms Jul-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 minor subsp. minor native to California?
Yes. Castilleja minor subsp. minor is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja minor subsp. minor bloom?
Castilleja minor subsp. minor blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Castilleja minor subsp. minor grow?
Castilleja minor subsp. minor occurs in Inyo, Mono, Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen, Lake, at elevations of 850-2300 m.
What plant family does Castilleja minor subsp. minor belong to?
Castilleja minor subsp. minor is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja minor subsp. minor grow in?
Castilleja minor subsp. minor grows in Alkaline marshes.
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.