Indian Paintbrush - Castilleja coccinea

Castilleja coccinea, or Indian Paintbrush, is a biennial wildflower native to Michigan and the U.P.. This plant is interesting because it is hemiparasitic; it takes part of its nutrients from a host plant, perhaps as an adaptation to the poor soils it favors. The host plant is typically grasses or sedges. Our second-year plants are paired with Little Bluestem or Early Fen Sedge. The Indian Paintbrush will not kill the host, which will will continue to grow for you. Make sure bare dirt is present around the plant to encourage reseeding of the Indian Paintbrush. Future generations can parasitize the same host plant.
 
The showy flowers of this plant are reddish orange to yellow and evolved to be pollinated by hummingbirds, but bees and moths, especially those that can drink while hovering, also use the nectar. It is a host plant for several species of Checkerspot butterfly caterpillar. The included Little Bluestem or Early Fen Sedge is also a host plant for skipper butterflies, creates nest habitat for native bees, and provides seeds and nest materials for birds.
 
Indian Paintbrush likes moist to medium, sandy or gravely soils, especially near lakes and rivers, but also in fens, meadows, prairies, and open forests, even jack pine. It tolerates shallow soils, rock crevices, and limestone substrates.