Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana
Photo: parent species Castilleja subinclusa · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Orobanchaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana is a native California herb in the Orobanchaceae family, recognized by coastal habitat and two-colored red/yellow display distinguish from other subspecies.
San Francisco paintbrush is a California native perennial found in southern North Coast, northern Central Coast, and western San Francisco Bay bioregions in coastal scrub habitats at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces striking two-colored flowers with red and yellow hues, creating distinctive and vibrant inflorescences. Growing with erect stems, it develops slender flowering structures with curved calyx lobes that arch upward in a delicate arc. Its leaves and bracts blend with the colorful floral display, supporting the yellow-orange blossoms characteristic of this coastal paintbrush subspecies. This rare paintbrush represents a unique botanical gem of California's coastal ecosystems, with its chromosomal variation indicating significant genetic complexity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; coastal habitat and two-colored red/yellow display distinguish from other subspecies
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: San Mateo, Los Angeles, Sonoma, Marin, Contra Costa, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Humboldt, Alameda, Monterey, San Francisco, Napa, Ventura, El Dorado
Bloom period
Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana blooms Mar-Jul.
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 subinclusa subsp. franciscana native to California?
Yes. Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana bloom?
Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana grow?
Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana occurs in San Mateo, Los Angeles, Sonoma, Marin, Contra Costa, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Humboldt and other counties, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana belong to?
Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana is in the Orobanchaceae family, genus Castilleja.
What habitat does Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana grow in?
Castilleja subinclusa subsp. franciscana grows in Coastal scrub.
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.