Castilleja nana
Dwarf alpine indian paintbrush
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Castilleja nana (Dwarf alpine indian paintbrush) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by alpine habitat, small size, and pale yellow flowers with purple blotches.
Dwarf alpine indian paintbrush is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada and White and Inyo Mountains in dry, alpine barrens at elevations of 2,400 to 4,200 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces pale yellow flowers with purple blotches, 15 to 20 millimeters long, with a distinctive 4 to 6 millimeter beak. Growing 5 to 25 centimeters tall with spreading green or purplish stems that are hairy, it forms a low-profile alpine plant. Its lance-linear leaves range from 10 to 35 millimeters long, with 0 to 5 lobes, supporting yellow-green or purple-tinged bracts with acuminate edges. The fruit is 8 to 12 millimeters long, with seeds featuring a distinctive ladder-like textured coat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; distinguished by alpine habitat, small size, and pale yellow flowers with purple blotches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, +- alpine barrens
Elevation: 2400-4200 m
California counties: Mono, Fresno, Tuolumne, Tulare, Alpine, Nevada, El Dorado, Mariposa, Sierra, Madera, Inyo, Placer
Bloom period
Castilleja nana blooms Jul-Aug.
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 nana native to California?
Yes. Castilleja nana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja nana bloom?
Castilleja nana blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Castilleja nana grow?
Castilleja nana occurs in Mono, Fresno, Tuolumne, Tulare, Alpine, Nevada, El Dorado, Mariposa and other counties, at elevations of 2400-4200 m.
What plant family does Castilleja nana belong to?
Castilleja nana is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja nana grow in?
Castilleja nana grows in Dry, +- alpine barrens.
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.