A Closer Look At...

Indian Paintbrushes (the genus Castilleja)

Trivia

Indian Paintbrushes (the genus Castilleja) look like someone dipped the flowering stalk in brightly colored paint. Different species may be red, pink, or even yellow. These bright colors are not the flowers (which are in most cases inconspicuous and greenish), but the bracts which surround the flowers. Paintbrushes are “hemi-parasites”, meaning that they obtain some of their nutrition by latching onto the roots of other plants. Thus when planting paintbrush seed, it’s best to plant in a grassy area. Transplanting paintbrushes may kill them, so grow them from seed. Please do not pick flowers or dig up plants from public lands.

State Parks to Visit

Paintbrushes bloom around the same time as bluebonnets, and a great display can usually be seen at LBJ State Park and Historic Site. Central Texas parks such as Inks Lake State Park, Guadalupe River State Park, McKinney Falls State Park, and Garner State Park often have wonderful displays as well.