Castilleja schizotricha
Split-hair paintbrush
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Castilleja schizotricha (Split-hair paintbrush) is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by small size, white-woolly branched hairs, and specialized substrate.
Split-hair paintbrush is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges of Siskiyou County on decomposed granite or marble habitats at elevations of 1,500 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces pink to dusty red bracts with white flowers, forming compact inflorescences 3 to 8 centimeters long. Growing with distinctively white-woolly stems 8 to 15 centimeters tall, the plant has a delicate, compact growth form. Its leaves are lance-linear, 5 to 20 millimeters long, with few or no lateral lobes, supporting slender branching stems. The flower's unique corolla is tomentose with a purple-red upper half and a distinctive beak 4 to 5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; small size, white-woolly branched hairs, and specialized substrate
Habitat and range
Habitat: Decomposed granite or marble
Elevation: 1500-2300 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Castilleja schizotricha blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 schizotricha native to California?
Yes. Castilleja schizotricha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja schizotricha bloom?
Castilleja schizotricha blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Castilleja schizotricha grow?
Castilleja schizotricha occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, at elevations of 1500-2300 m.
What plant family does Castilleja schizotricha belong to?
Castilleja schizotricha is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
Is Castilleja schizotricha rare or endangered?
Castilleja schizotricha carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.