I think you mean saprophytic, a parasite on the roots of other plants. In the garden no one seems to mind because indian painbrush is such a special plant to have. I've seen seeds sold mixed with seeds for suitable hosts.

Ahh.. thanks for the info :)

Vera

The definition of 'saprophyte' is a plant that lives on DEAD organic matter such as rotting tree roots. These plants often have no need for chlorophyll thus are not green. The most commonly cited example given of a saprophytic is indian pipe -- see link.

Plants that derive nutrients from living plants would be considered parasites. Paintbrushes (Castilleja spp.) are considered partial parasites, meaning that they can obtain nutrients from other living plants (grasses) but they are also capable of photosynthesis on their own -- as indicated by their green color.

Here is a link that might be useful: indian pipe

Thanks John :) the website used the term 'saprastic' but described as you did about being semi-parasite...I'll be dipped if I can remember the site....

I still have not been able to find a source that names it as a native here....there are some paintbrushes which are but I'm still not sure of Downy? I've searched the WSU Marion Owenby Herbarium website which they are still in the process of completing the databases.

Thanks,
vera

You can use the maps below to check out the Paintbrushes that are native to your state. Just click on the small maps where your state is green.

Here is a link that might be useful: Range of Castilleja spp.

The Downy Paintbrush does not appear to be native to the northwest. Of course, common names vary from area to area.

Here is a link that might be useful: Downy Paintbrush

Thanks :)

Vera

Remind me not to post anything without checking out the details first with my wife. She throws these terms around all the time, and I'm not good on the specifics.

what is really neat, is that its an annual.

so think about it, seeds have to find some rotting material(specific rotting material) and do their thing all in one year.
then to make matters worse for them, seeds are the size of dust. and to make them even more impossiable to persist, they live typically on roadsides of humans because of the mowing regime they more than likely need to persist.

this is a cold, cold world lately for native forbs and getting colder. this little fire packet of light and stature, to me, are precious. these little parts of not only the plant world but also the decomposer world are very cool in my book.

froggy

I don't know if this is true but have been told that the downy paintbrush that occurs here (Castilleja sessiflora) is a biennial or short-lived perennial. I am inclined to believe they persist more than a year given the size of some of the clumps I have seen.

oh comon lycopus, dont be a buzz kill.

Didn't mean to be. :(

AFAIK Castilleja coccinea is an annual that comes in yellow and red flavors. It grows here too but it isn't downy like the other one. Oh, and it is a most beautiful plant and not easy to find.

{{gwi:1158045}}