With this complicated host dependency, giant red paintbrush can be a challenge to establish. It’s likely that nobody knows the full range of other species giant red paintbrush parasitizes, but a range of host plants have been described, including various sedges and grasses such as Roemer’s fescue, yarrow, Oregon sunshine, thimbleberry, and even some non-native weeds such as oxeye daisy, sheep sorrel, and possibly even Canada thistle. Like other members of its genus, the root system of this plant plugs itself into the roots of various hosts, extracting nutrients that supplement its growth and energy needs. What makes the plant most remarkable is its parasitic dependence on other plants. And, while deer will take a bite out of red paintbrush it doesn’t appear to be a favorite. Based on appearances alone, it’s likely a hummingbird visited plant although we don’t actually see a huge amount of pollinator activity on it. While it isn’t actually “giant” as the name would suggest, it does grow to a little over two feet in height, with modest true flowers hidden within the bright scarlet leaf bracts. In natural settings giant paintbrush occurs in damps soils and full to partial sun, such as moist meadows, forest clearings, spring seeps, and streambanks. Despite its widespread distribution the handsome perennial is not very abundant except in relatively pristine natural areas where its’ remarkable root system can remain undisturbed. One of the most interesting meadow species we sell, with a fascinating ecology.Īlso known as Indian paintbrush, this remarkable red or orange-flowered plant is the most common member of its genus in the West, where it occurs from Alaska to California along the coast and inland to the Rocky Mountains.
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