About Castilleja applegatei Fernald
Castilleja applegatei is a species of Castilleja, commonly known as Applegate's Indian paintbrush and wavyleaf Indian paintbrush. It is native to the western United States. This short perennial plant has sticky leaves with wavy edges; leaves are divided closer to the top of the plant. It produces bright, showy, paintbrush-shaped inflorescences that hold small red to yellowish-red tubular flowers. Like other Indian paintbrush species, it is a root parasite that feeds on plants such as sagebrush. While it can survive without parasitizing other plants, individuals that grow with a host become faster-growing and larger. There are five subspecies of this plant. The subspecies vary in appearance, but the wavy leaf margins and stickiness of the leaves distinguish this species from other Castilleja species.
