Castilleja exserta

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Castilleja exserta (formerly Orthocarpus purpurascens) is a species of plant in the genus Castilleja which includes the Indian paintbrushes. Its common names include purple owl's clover, escobita, and exserted Indian paintbrush.[1]

This species is native to the Southwestern United States in various habitats of California, Arizona, and New Mexico; and to Northwestern Mexico.[2] It is an introduced species in Hawaii.

Description

File:Castilleja exserta2.jpg
Foliage and stem, before flowering.

Castilleja exserta is an annual herb about Script error: No such module "convert". tall with a hairy stem covered in thready leaves. Like other related Castilleja plants, this species is a hemiparasite, deriving some of its nutrients directly from the roots of other plants by infiltrating them with haustoria. As a result, its own leaves are small and reduced.

Although this species is variable in appearance and easily hybridizes with other Castilleja species, it generally bears a brightly colored inflorescence of shaggy pink-purple or lavender flowers. The thin, erect bracts are usually tipped with the same color, giving the inflorescence the appearance of a paintbrush.[3]

Varieties

Varieties include:

Bay checkerspot butterfly host

This is a crucial host plant for the Bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis), which is a threatened species that is endemic to the San Francisco Bay region in California.

The seeds were harvested by indigenous peoples of California for food.[11]

References

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  1. CalFlora database: Castilleja exserta . accessed 3.23.2013
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  4. CalFlora: Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta
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  6. CalFlora: Castilleja exserta ssp. latifolia
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  8. CalFlora: Castilleja exserta ssp. venusta
  9. USDA: C. e. ssp. venusta
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  11. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (NPIN) — Castilleja exserta (Purple owl's clover) . accessed 3.23.2013

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External links

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