| Castilleja neglecta | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
|
Critically Imperiled (NatureServe) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Orobanchaceae |
| Genus: | Castilleja |
| Species: | C. neglecta |
| Binomial name | |
| Castilleja neglecta (Zeile) Chuang & Heckard |
|
Tiburon Indian paintbrush, whose scientific name is Castilleja neglecta or Casteileja affinis spp. neglecta, is an endangered perennial herb that is endemic to seven different colonies in the San Francisco Bay Area including the Tiburon Peninsula[1] of Marin County, California; American Canyon in Napa County; one site in Santa Clara County[2] and one further site in Marin County. In 1989 a colony was documented in the Vallejo area of Solano County.[3]
This species has been listed as endangered by both the state of California and the United States Government.[4][5] Tiburon Indian paintbrush grows on open slopes having serpentine soils and produces showy pinkish yellow flowers in late March through June.
The Tiburon Indian paintbrush has an erect growth habit with branched stems and attains a height of 30 to 60 centimeters. C. neglecta is a root hemi-parasite; that is, its roots invade those of other species to enhance nutrient and water flow. This wildflower occurs at altitudes less than 300 meters.[6] in native bunch grass communities. Tiburon Indian paintbrush has been a topic of analysis of numerous site specific and programmatic[7] land development proposals. The species is also known by the common name Tiburon paintbrush.
Contents |
This erect plant is bristly and has lanceolate shaped leaves of length two to four centimeters. Like most of its genus, its architecture is one of moderate branching habit, with a total plant height above ground of 15 to 60 centimeters. Inflorescences are pinkish yellow sometimes grading to red and are 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters across. Fruits are 1.0 to 1.5 centimeters in size.