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April 8, 2008 : Castilleja exserta
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Keywords: Orobanchaceae | Castilleja exserta (A. Heller) T. I. Chuang & Heckard | Shell Creek Road, near Atascadero, California, USA
This is one of the plants I was hoping to encounter while in California. It is relatively common, but I had never seen it before, so it was new to me.
Castilleja exserta (also sometimes called Orthocarpus purpurascens) is native to the southwestern US and northern Mexico. Common names include exserted Indian paintbrush, purple owl's clover, and escobita. Occasionally, it can be found en masse, carpeting the grassy terrain it grows in with purple. However, I only observed a few individuals here and there, with the exception of one small knoll that was covered in plants. Unfortunately, it was fenced off and so didn't permit a closer look.
Calflora.net has a good summary of the properties of Castilleja exserta, as well as additional photographs. Even more photographs are available via CalPhotos. The Jepson Manual treatment of Castilleja exserta makes mention that the species is “highly variable” and often hybridizes. Lastly, the Pima County Master Gardeners give a few growing tips for those of you interested and in areas where it can be grown.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at April 8, 2008 8:27 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Debby at April 8, 2008 9:19 AM
Yes, that's on my list of things to fix. I've a day scheduled next week for this (and other BPotD related) tasks.
Posted by: Daniel Mosquin 
at April 8, 2008 9:24 AM
It must be spectacular en masse. Thrilling developments in Toronto- the snow is gone and I have one crocus blooming!
Posted by: Barbara Lamb at April 8, 2008 9:32 AM
purple owls clover
i really do enjoy the links
i have never seen a purple owl
or a purple cow right out of
child hood limmercks-thank you daniel
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at April 8, 2008 12:40 PM
So that's what that is named. Very nice.
Posted by: van at April 8, 2008 1:00 PM
One of my favorites, and supposedly not too hard to grow even though it's a hemiparasite on grasses. It makes the loveliest effects in meadows! (JH Hudson has seeds, and Annie's Annuals -- Plants of the Southwest used to, haven't checked recently.)
Posted by: Equisetum at April 8, 2008 3:17 PM
PS:
What a wonderful picture. The rule that the wind starts to blow the moment you find the perfect specimen must have been suspended.
Posted by: Equisetum at April 8, 2008 3:19 PM
I've only ever seen this singularly or in very small clumps -- it must be really amazing covering a hillside! So very appropriate for me today because I leave for my first veg survey in Carmel, CA Thursday of this week!
Posted by: Meghan at April 8, 2008 5:49 PM
The photograph is just great. The colours so nice to see. Also the link to the Master Gardeners is most helpful. I have been a Master Gardener in Massachusette for almost 20yrs. I would really like to be in contact with Master Gardener in other States. Especially outside of New England. You have made that possiable.
Thank you,
Margaret-Rae
Posted by: Margaret-Rae Davis at April 9, 2008 7:48 PM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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