Scrophulariaceae

Castilleja parviflora

Small-Flowered Paintbrush

Stems upright, short, hairy, turning black as they die. Leaves oval to lance-shaped, divided into 3–5 lobes, hairy. Flowers green to yellowish green, with purple edges hidden among bright magenta-red to rose, pink, or whitish 3- to 5-lobed bracts. Grows in alpine meadows, often with heathers, at mid to high elevations. Var. oreopola, found on Mount Rainier, has rose-purple bracts, flowers about 3/4 in. long. Very similar var. olympica has flowers less than 3/4 in. and is endemic to upper Olympic Mountains.

• Rarity: Uncommon
• Flowering Time: Mid Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 6--15 inches
• Habitat: Subalpine, Alpine
• Found In: Mt. Rainier Np, Olympic Np
• Native: Yes