Tiburon Indian paintbrush
Encyclopedia
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
of Marin County, California
; American Canyon in Napa County; one site in Santa Clara County and one further site in Marin County. In 1989 a colony was documented in the Vallejo
area of Solano County.
This species
has been listed as endangered by both the state of California
and the United States
Government. Tiburon Indian paintbrush grows on open slopes having serpentine soil
s 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. in native bunch grass communities. Tiburon Indian paintbrush has been a topic of analysis of numerous site specific and programmatic land development proposals. The species is also known by the common name Tiburon paintbrush.
s 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.
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
that is endemic to seven different colonies in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
including the Tiburon Peninsula
Tiburon, California
Tiburon is an incorporated town in Marin County, California. It occupies most of the Tiburon Peninsula, which reaches south into the San Francisco Bay. The smaller city of Belvedere occupies the south-east part of the peninsula and is contiguous with Tiburon...
of Marin County, California
Marin County, California
Marin County is a county located in the North San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. As of 2010, the population was 252,409. The county seat is San Rafael and the largest employer is the county government. Marin County is well...
; American Canyon in Napa County; one site in Santa Clara County and one further site in Marin County. In 1989 a colony was documented in the Vallejo
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
area of Solano County.
This species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
has been listed as endangered by both the state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Government. Tiburon Indian paintbrush grows on open slopes having serpentine soil
Serpentine soil
A serpentine soil is derived from ultramafic rocks, in particular serpentinite, a rock formed by the hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock from the Earth's mantle....
s 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
Nutrient
A nutrient is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment. They are used to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes and are converted to and used as energy...
and water flow. This wildflower
Wildflower
A wildflower is a flower that grows wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. Yet "wildflower" meadows of a few mixed species are sold in seed packets. The term "wildflower" has been made vague by commercial seedsmen who are interested in selling more flowers or seeds more...
occurs at altitudes less than 300 meters. in native bunch grass communities. Tiburon Indian paintbrush has been a topic of analysis of numerous site specific and programmatic land development proposals. The species is also known by the common name Tiburon paintbrush.
Description
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. InflorescenceInflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s 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.