Indian paintbrush

noun

1. any of several semiparasitic plants belonging to the genus Castilleja, of the figwort family, as C. linariaefolia, of the western U.S.: the state flower of Wyoming.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Indian paintbrush¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

The area is home to San Bernardino flying squirrels and ash-gray Indian paintbrush, a federally protected plant found only in the San Bernardino Mountains.

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The federally endangered Bear Valley sandwort, Ash-gray Indian paintbrush, and southern mountain wild-buckwheat are no match for the cascading impacts of soil disturbances caused by burros on the move.

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Mid-July is still springtime at this elevation and a rich palette of Indian paintbrush, creamy white daisies, magenta fireweed and blue-green grass laced the roadside.

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It perches on the tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, and visitors to the park can look for bush sunflowers, Indian paintbrush, sea dahlias and more.

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As snow melts in the mountains, meadows come alive with a rainbow of wildflowers like lupine, beargrass and Indian paintbrush.

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