![]() This species likes sand and grows in both prairies and open woods. Ironically, this plant was used by Native Americans as both a love charm in food and as a poison used to against their enemies, as this species is known to have toxic properties. Seeds are contained in a chambered capsule with two divisions, and once ripe, the capsules split open and wind action helps scatter the up to three hundred seeds within each capsule. Although seeds can germinate the same season as when they are released, usually they germinate the following spring and produce a basal rosette that will flower the following season. Also, the lack of a lower petal lip denies insects a perch to rest on, favoring hovering organisms like bees and hummingbirds. Hummingbirds have long bills that allow them to reach the nectar rewards at the end of long, tubular flowers. However, like most red flowers, this species is especially adapted for pollination by hummingbirds. This is somewhat surprising since the color red is difficult for insects to see. ![]() A variety of insects visit paintbrush flowers, especially bees. Despite being obligate parasites for part of their lives, these plants do rely on pollinators for reproduction. These plants are hemiparasites, meaning that although these plants are green and can photosynthesize, they also have the ability to sequester nutrients from other organisms, in this case, from perennial grasses. ![]() lutescens), as well as a separate closely related species that also has yellow bracts ( Castilleja sessiliflora). Also, there is a form of this species that has yellow bracts ( Castilleja coccinea f. The actual flower petals are rather inconspicuous, although the tip of the sepals are tinged with red as well. The showy red structures are technically bracts, a type of modified leaf, and not petals. The genus name “ Castilleja” is named after Spanish botanist Domingo Castillejo, and “ coccinea” means “red,” referring to the red bracts that surround the flowers. This plant is also called painted cup for the showy cup-like bracts. This species was formerly placed in the Figwort family (Scrophullariaceae), which was a hodgepodge of genera that didn’t fit well in other families. Indian paintbrush is an attractive member of the parasitic Broomrape family (Orobancaceae). I’m also curious if the excess of Indian Paintbrushes and lack of bluebonnets has something to do with the long winter. It will be interesting to see if the Indian Paintbrushes are more numerous than the bluebonnets in our favorite spots as well. I’ll have to make sure to dress the girls in something that will look good with blue or red flowers.Castilleja coccinea range map. This year, I haven’t yet tried our other two lucky spots from last year: 290 on the way to Brenham and a few hot spots in Fulshear, just off of 1093. Our plan is to load the girls up on Saturday and try out these two locations. It’d be wonderful to find some bluebonnets close to home. I have a feeling that if it comes down to a two hour trip out to Austin for pictures or skipping the shots, we’ll end up skipping the shots. My girls’ patience only lasts so long. Last year we had much better luck. Twice we stumbled upon amazing bluebonnets – as far as the eye could see. We snapped some of my favorite photos of my girls (now two of them!) and enjoyed a picnic dinner in the spring sun. Two years ago, we loaded my then 19 month old daughter into the car and drove up and down roads for about an hour before giving up and heading back for home. That year, we captured no bluebonnet shots. Just an adorable little girl in the grass. I love taking annual pictures in the bluebonnets with my children. But a 2 hour trip seems a bit excessive just to snap a few shots. I was surprised to see many, many Indian Paintbrushes but very few patches of bluebonnets. They were out along the side of the road, but not in any real numbers. It wasn’t until 2 hours outside of Katy on I10 that I started noticing fields of bluebonnets and cars pulled over to take pictures. We took a road trip to Austin last weekend. It was a quick trip with very little time to stop and smell the roses (or to stop and take photos with the bluebonnets). But while we were driving, I made it my personal mission to scout bluebonnet spots along I10. Searching for good bluebonnet photo locations in and around Katy Avery, 2 1/2 years, and Katie Beth, 6 months, at their blue bonnet photo shoot last year. ![]()
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