Photo by Carla Wells
Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea) is a striking native wildflower found in Wisconsin and across much of the eastern and central United States. This annual plant reaches a height of one to two feet, standing tall with its distinctively hairy single stem.
Its flowers, though greenish yellow and only about an inch long, are the main attraction. What catches the eye are the vivid red-tipped bracts—specialized leaf-like structures—that cluster together, creating the illusion of a brilliant bloom. These three-lobed bracts contrast beautifully with the plant’s nearly clasping alternate leaves, typically divided into three narrow, finger-like lobes.
Indian paintbrush thrives in moist environments, often appearing in open fields, prairies, and rocky outcroppings. Interestingly, it's a hemiparasitic plant, meaning it taps into the roots of nearby grasses and other plants for nutrients while still producing its own food through photosynthesis. (LS)