Castilleja praeterita
Salmon creek indian paintbrush
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Castilleja praeterita (Salmon creek indian paintbrush) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by pale yellow/red bract tips and much-branched habit are key.
Salmon creek indian paintbrush is a California native perennial found in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in dry mountain habitats at elevations of 2,200 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces flowers with pale green bracts tipped in lemon yellow or pale red, with dark purple corolla margins and dark green incurved teeth. Growing with stiff-hairy, much-branched stems 10 to 45 centimeters tall, it forms a delicate and intricate herbaceous structure. Its leaves are approximately 30 to 50 millimeters long, predominantly linear with zero to three lobes. The small fruits are 8 to 10 millimeters long, containing seeds with a loosely netted coat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; pale yellow/red bract tips and much-branched habit are key
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry places, especially in
Elevation: 2200-3400 m
Bloom period
Castilleja praeterita 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 praeterita native to California?
Yes. Castilleja praeterita is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja praeterita bloom?
Castilleja praeterita blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Castilleja praeterita belong to?
Castilleja praeterita is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja praeterita grow in?
Castilleja praeterita grows in Dry places, especially in.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.