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Native Plant Society of Texas

Prairie Paintbrush

Castilleja purpurea

Other common name(s):

Downy Indian Paintbrush, Purple Paintbrush, Lemon Paintbrush, Purple Painted Cup

Family:

Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

.5
to
1.5
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Calcareous, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Hummingbirds, Bees

Maintenance

Grows best when planted among short or tall prairie grass, because its roots are semi-parasitic on grass roots. Cut flower stalks when brown. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms April-June. Leave lance-shaped. Stems and leaves hairy. Flowers arranged in spikes. Floral bracts are usually purple, purplish red, or purplish pink but they can also be red, orange, yellow, or white. The fruit is a capsule. Where populations meet, the varieties hybridize for an even broader range of colors.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CAPU11. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=16351&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 183, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=33077#null, 7) https://seedsource.com/prairie-paintbrush/

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow fresh seeds in well-drained soil, ensuring they receive sufficient light for germination. Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Once seedlings are large enough, carefully transplant them to their final location to minimize root disturbance. Collect seeds from downy indian paintbrush immediately after the seed capsules mature and begin to open. Use gloves to handle plants, as they can sometimes irritate the skin. https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Castilleja_purpurea.html
Seed Stratification Place the collected seeds in a sealed plastic bag with moistened sand or vermiculite to stratify in a refrigerator. Stratify for approximately 60-90 days to simulate winter conditions, which helps to break seed dormancy. Remove the seeds from stratification. Prepare a well-draining soil mix in a container with ample organic matter. Ensure the container has good drainage holes. Sow the stratified seeds on the soil surface, as downy indian paintbrush seeds need light to germinate. Gently press them into the surface without covering them with soil. Mist lightly to keep the seeds moist without washing them away. Germination and Early Care Place the container in a location with partial sunlight and maintain consistent moisture, but avoid waterlogging. Germination should occur in about 2-3 weeks under optimal conditions. Indian Paintbrush? After germination, allow downy indian paintbrush seedlings to grow sufficiently until they are large enough to handle. Transplant them carefully to a more permanent location with similar soil and light conditions. Downy indian paintbrush prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate partial shade to full sunlight. Regular watering is crucial during dry periods, but care should be taken not to overwater, to avoid root rot. Gradually acclimate the plants to outdoor conditions by increasing their exposure to direct sunlight and varying temperatures. Collect seeds from downy indian paintbrush immediately after the seed capsules mature and begin to open. Use gloves to handle plants, as they can sometimes irritate the skin. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Castilleja_purpurea.html

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason