Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - May 09, 2005

From: paris, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Yellow Indian paintbrush, Castilleja indivisa
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Does entireleaf Indian paintbrush, Castilleja indivisa, come in yellow in the wild? I have Indian paintbrush in the front pasture and noticed last weekend that there were 5 or 6 that were light yellow. I have never seen these in yellow and was wondering if it was normal.

ANSWER:

Yellow Indian paintbrushes (Castilleja indivisa) are normal, just not common. The plants carry a modified color gene that makes the plant yellow rather than the more common orange color. In fact, there are many color variations for the paintbrush from carmine to brick red to salmon. The yellow and white variations are less common than the other colors.
 

More Wildflowers Questions

Bluebonnet Seeds
March 20, 2004 - Where can I get bulk quantities of Bluebonnet seeds?
view the full question and answer

Landscaping a Fence with Native Plants for Central Texas
March 08, 2013 - I'm looking to landscape my fence that I've lined with woven bamboo. The area gets the hot afternoon sun in summer and is pretty shady in winter. The plants need to be drought and heat tolerant. I'...
view the full question and answer

Wildflowers for an April wedding in McAllen TX
April 16, 2010 - I live in McAllen Texas and plan to get married April 2011. My dream is to get married at my parents ranch. I visualize beautiful wildflowers and I am not sure what to plant and when. Any suggestion...
view the full question and answer

When will bluebonnets bloom in Texas this year from Nacogdoches, TX
December 09, 2010 - When can we expect to see bluebonnets blooming in Texas this year?
view the full question and answer

Texas wildflowers that have fragrance from Temple TX
October 12, 2009 - Do you have a list of Texas wildflowers that put out a fragrance?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.