About Castilleja minor (A.Gray) A.Gray
Castilleja minor, commonly called thread-torch paintbrush, is an annual plant. It typically grows 20 to 100 centimeters (8 to 39 inches) tall, and may occasionally reach up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in height. It can have either a short taproot or a small fibrous root system. Plants usually produce one single stem or just a few stems; stems are typically unbranched and sparsely covered in long, straight, loose pilose hairs. Shaggier hair is a characteristic associated with the variety Castilleja minor var. minor. The leaves of this species range widely in size, from 2 to 10 centimeters long, and are only 2 to 5 millimeters wide near their base. Leaves also vary widely in color, ranging from purple to green, and may have a faint to pronounced grayish tint. Leaves can be linear, shaped like a narrow grass blade, or lanceolate, shaped like a spear point with the widest portion below the leaf midpoint. They have a soft texture and are not divided into lobes. The inflorescence is narrow, measuring 5 to 40 centimeters long and only 1 to 4 centimeters wide. The flowers are also long, narrow, and threadlike.
