Indian Paintbrush

Red, five-petaled, two-lipped, sprout like flowers on coastal headlands in spring are no doubt Applegate's Paintbrush (Castillaeja applegatei). These showy plants grace the coastline from Central California north into Oregon. A member of the snapdragon family, "Indian Paintbrush," as they are known locally, are a spring favorite. They grow 1/2 to 2 feet tall and have wavy-margined leaves.