Mount Gleason Indian Paintbrush
(Castilleja gleasonii )
Scrophulariaceae

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Description: Perennial herb 1 - 2.3 feet (3-7dm) tall, with branched hairs. Leaves narrow to spear-shaped, 3/4 - 2 3/8 inches (2-6cm) long, with smooth edges, or the top pair with a pair of lobes. Inflorescence has fine, short, wooly hairs. Bracts and sepals are scarlet. Corolla (petals) are 1 - 1 1/8 inch (2.5-3cm) long, and 2 - lipped (an upper lip, galea, and a lower lip). The galea (helmet - like upper lip) is 5/8 - 7/8 inches (15-20mm) long, yellowish, and with soft, short hairs on the back. The lower lip is dark green and about 1/16 inch (2mm) long. Fruit is a many seeded capsule. 

Distribution:

Habitat: Rocky places. Yellow pine forest. Pinyon and Juniper woodland. Elevation 3712 - 6944 feet

Flowering Period: Blooms May to June.

Similar Plants:

Status: California State Rare, California Native Plant Society List 1B