Mount Harrison Interpretive Area
CHRIST'S INDIAN PAINTBRUSH
ONE OF A KIND
Christ's Indian paintbrush (Castilleja christii) is a beautiful yellow-flowering plant on Mount Harrison. It is found nowhere else in
the world! The paintbrush is in its full splendor from mid-July to early August, and is confined an estimated 200 acres. One of Idaho's
rarest plants, it was named a "Canadidate Species" under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. The Sawtooth National forest considers
the plant a "Sensitive Species." Both designations mean that the plant needs extra special care.
WHAT MAKES IT SO UNIQUE?
There are three other Indian paintbrush species found on Mount Harrison. Christ's Indian paintbrush is the only yellow to
yellow-orange paintbrush found here. It can be difficult to distinguish the Christ's Indian paintbrush from these other more
widespread paintbrush species. Below are the other three Indian paintbrush species with some distinguishing features.
Christ's Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja christii
- Unbranched
- Yellow flowers
- Found on summit
- 7-15 inches tall
- Leaves I-lobed
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja linariifolia
- Many branched
- Red flowers
- Lower elevations
- 15-35 inches tall
- Leavessometimes lobed
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja miniata
- Branched above
- Red to red-orange flowers
- Found in tree stands
- 12-35 inches tall
- Leaves not lobed
Northwestern Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja angustifolia var. flovescens
- Rarely branched
- Pale yellow to whitish flowers
- Exposed ridge lines, low sagebrush
- 3-12 inches tall
- Leaves deeply I-lobed
