Foothills, montane. Shrublands, woodlands. Spring, summer.
Above: Grand Mesa, July 10, 2017.
Left: Navajo Reservation near Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, June 24, 2006.

This Paintbrush is quite common in the Four Corners area, and is, according to Utah flora expert, Stanley Welsh, "the most common and widespread of the Castilleja species in Utah."  It occurs in dry areas of Sagebrush and grasses (as pictured at left), in Pinyon/Juniper, in Ponderosa Pines, and in more moist Aspen/Conifer habitats (as above and in the next photograph). 

Castilleja linariifolia is distinguished from other Paintbrush especially by its habitat at usually lower elevations and by its very narrow leaves (usually entire, but occasionally lobed on upper leaves).  Several other characteristics assist -- but are not as consistent: The plant is commonly over two feet tall and even up to four feet tall and it is often branched, as shown in the photograph at left  --  but notice the unbranched plant in the next photograph.

George Bentham (1800-1884) named this plant in 1846 from a specimen collected in 1842 by John Fremont in present day eastern Wyoming. 

Castilleja linariifolia is the state flower of Wyoming.

Foothills, montane. Shrublands, woodlands. Spring, summer.
Sharkstooth Road, July 2, 2005.

Foothills, montane. Shrublands, woodlands. Spring, summer.
Navajo Reservation near Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, June 24, 2006.

The calyx of Castilleja linariifolia is mostly to completely red and it is cut more deeply on one side than on the other  --  not easy to see in the photograph.  The bracts of Castilleja linariifolia are mostly green, not the vibrant colors of most other Castilleja bracts.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Castilleja linariifolia