Denseflower Indian paintbrush
Castilleja densiflora
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
6"–16" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaOwl's clover is a low annual forb with narrow leaves and dense spikes of pink to purple tubular flowers tipped in white. It grows in open grasslands, drawing some of its water and nutrients from the roots of neighboring grasses.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Edith's Checkerspot.
The tubular flowers are pollinated by bees, and the genus is a well documented larval host for checkerspot butterflies, including Edith's Checkerspot.
Common questions
- How much sun does Denseflower Indian paintbrush need?
- Denseflower Indian paintbrush grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Denseflower Indian paintbrush bloom?
- Denseflower Indian paintbrush blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Denseflower Indian paintbrush native?
- Denseflower Indian paintbrush (Castilleja densiflora) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Denseflower Indian paintbrush host?
- Denseflower Indian paintbrush is a larval host plant for Edith's Checkerspot.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Denseflower Indian paintbrush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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