The top two petals are fused to form a long thin beak which encloses the anther and style. Crystal Cove State Beach, Laguna Beach, CA. 3-21-09. © Joan Avise

Coast Paintbrush

Castilleja affinis ssp. affinis

Castilleja and Cordylantus are hemiparasitic, taking nutrients from green plant roots, but they can also survive on their own.  Most have flowers and seeds that may be eaten raw.  Castilleja affinis is a widespread perennial commonly found near rocks on ocean bluffs, dry brushy slopes or in coastal sage scrub and chaparral.

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12-18in. ; purplish stems arise from a woody base. Upper Newport Bay, Newport Beach., CA. 3-01-08. © Joan Avise

Crystal Cove State Beach, Laguna Beach, CA. 3-21-09. © Joan Avise

Red-tipped bracts subtend the flower. Scarlet-tipped bracts and calyces as well as leaves are minutely hairy. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 2-22-09. © Joan Avise

Seed pods forming, lower right. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise

Rough alternate hairy leaves, sometimes with lobes. Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 3-21-09. © Joan Avise

Greenish petals surround anthers and style. Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 3-21-09. © Joan Avise

Moulton Meadows Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 2/26/13. © Peter J. Bryant

Moulton Meadows Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 2/26/13. © Peter J. Bryant

Moulton Meadows Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 2/26/13. © Peter J. Bryant

Casper's Park, E Ridge to Oso to C Spgs tp SJ, 2-12-12. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Moulton Meadows Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 2/26/13. © Peter J. Bryant

Dripping Springs Tr 4-1-10. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Pine Cyn., Santa Ana Mts., 4-12-12. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Casper's Park, E Ridge to Oso to C Spgs tp SJ, 2-12-12. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Bell View Trail, E of Robinson Ranch, 2-12-15. © Ron Vanderhoff.
 
Associated Insects  

Variable Checkerspot,
Euphydryas chalcedona

The larvae of the variable Checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas chalcedona) feed on Castilleja among other related plants.