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Castilleja purpurea var. citrina
Castilleja purpurea (Nutt.) G. Don var. citrina (Pennell) Shinners
Lemon Paintbrush, Yellow Paintbrush, Yellow Prairie Paintbrush, Citron Paintbrush, Prairie Paintbrush, Prairie Indian Paintbrush
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s): Castilleja citrina, Castilleja labiata
USDA Symbol: CAPUC
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Castilleja purpurea var. citrina, Lemon Paintbrush, shares most of the characteristics of its species, C. purpurea (Prairie Paintbrush), but has yellow floral bracts and a longer and more flaring lower corolla lip than varieties lindheimeri and purpurea. It is a grassland perennial found in gravelly or sandy limestone soils from central Kansas to central and west Texas. Like many Castilleja species, it has adapted to its prairie environment by becoming semi-parasitic on grass roots, so planting it alongside prairie grasses would be ideal for it.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate , Linear
Leaf Pubescence: Villose
Leaf Margin: Entire
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Spike
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Usually 6-9 inches high but can be twice that
Leaf: Green to grey-green
Flower: Bract spikes to 6 inches
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Usually blooms in May. Color ranges from pale to bright.
Distribution
USA: KS , OK , TXNative Distribution: Central Kansas south to central and west Texas
Native Habitat: Gravelly and sandy calcareous grasslands
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Gravelly or sandy, calcareous (limestone)
Conditions Comments: Does best if planted among prairie grasses, as it's semi-parasitic on their roots.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Spring flowers good for meadows, prairies, and perennial gardens with calcareous soilsUse Wildlife: Attracts pollinating insects.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsCommercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: If plants seem to be in decline, plant prairie grasses next to them.
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0794 Collected Apr 27, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike FoxNPSOT 0792 Collected Apr 27, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
Bibliography
Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. JohnstonBibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Castilleja purpurea var. citrina in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Castilleja purpurea var. citrina in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Castilleja purpurea var. citrina
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-12-05Research By: TWC Staff, GDG