About Castilleja densiflora (Benth.) T.I.Chuang & Heckard
Common Names and Classification
Castilleja densiflora is a herbaceous flowering plant species with common names denseflower Indian paintbrush, or white/denseflower owlclover. Like all other Indian paintbrush species, it is a root parasite.
Native Range
It is native to California and northern Baja California, where it grows in grassland and chaparral habitats.
Species Variability
This is a variable species.
Stem and Leaf Morphology
It typically grows 10 to 40 centimeters tall, with linear or lance-shaped leaves that can reach up to 8 centimeters long, and leaves may or may not have lobes.
Inflorescence and Bract Characteristics
Its inflorescence ranges in length from as small as 3 centimeters to as long as 25 centimeters, and bears bracts with tips ranging in color from white to dull pink, bright pink, or purple.
Flower Traits
The flowers grow between the bracts; they are somewhat rounded and pouched, and their color can be white, yellow, pink, or purple.