New Mexico State University
College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences | ACES
NMSU: Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Indian paintbrush

(a.k.a. Pepperweed, perennial pepperweed, whitetop, mesa pepperwort)
Dahiitįį́hídą́ą́’tsoh
Specimen displaying bright red bracts
Patrick Alexander

Indian paintbrush, is admired for its aesthetic value, due to its showy bracts. It grows 9 to 18 inches tall.

Palatability of Indian paintbrush has been rated as fair to good for sheep, poor to fair for cattle, and poor for horses.

Indian paintbrush is widespread, occurring from the desert floors to the subalpine meadows. Some species are known to be partial root parasites, especially with sagebrush. It reproduces by seed and tillering.

Deep crimson, slightly fuzzy bracts with tiny yellow flowers nestled among them
Patrick Alexander
A field of Indian paintbrush displaying a variety of yellows and pinks
Patrick Alexander
In this specimen, the flowers are somewhat separated from one another so that it is easier to see how they attach to the stem
Patrick Alexander
Growth habit showing a number of stems with foliage and flowers
Patrick Alexander
Close-to-ground plant with light green lower leaves and reddish bracts (modified leaves) at the top giving the impression of a flower.
Nick Ashcroft
Casstilleja integra
Bright orange red bracts (modified leaves) that give the impression of a flower, on a reddish/purple stem.
Nick Ashcroft
Castilleja linarifolia
Bright orange red mass of bracts (modified leaves) at the top of a plant with red/purple leaves below them and green foliage behind and in front of them.
Nick Ashcroft
Castilleja linarifolia
Tall, bright orange red bracts (modified leaves) that give the impression of a flower. Green foliage lower to the ground surrounding the bract stems
Carole Palmer
Scientific Name
Castilleja spp.
Plant Type
Forb
Growing Season
Warm Season
Stem Placements
  • Alternate
  • Basal
Habitats
  • Brushlands
  • Grasslands
  • Wastelands
Flower Colors
  • Green
  • Yellow

©2018 NMSU Board of Regents.
Individual photographers retain all rights to their images.
Partially funded by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (westernsare.org; 435.797.2257), project EW15-023.
Programs and projects supported by Western SARE are equally open to all people.