Castilleja hispida is a species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae, also known by the common name harsh paintbrush, or harsh Indian paintbrush.[2] It is native to British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.[3][2]
| Castilleja hispida | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Orobanchaceae |
| Genus: | Castilleja |
| Species: | C. hispida
|
| Binomial name | |
| Castilleja hispida | |
Description
editCastilleja hispida grows at low to middle elevations in open areas, typically on grassy slopes and dry meadows, or at forest edges and openings.[4] It is a perennial herb growing in clumps of several ascending or erect and hairy stems that are usually unbranching and up to 60 cm tall.[4]
The leaves are green, containing chlorophyll to undergo photosynthesis, but like other Castilleja species it is a hemiparasite, capable of tapping the roots of other plants via haustorial connections to obtain nutrients and water.[5] The inflorescence contains bright orange to red bracts with small green flowers tucked between them.[4][2] Harsh paintbrush is pollinated by members of the Bombus genus.[6]
Harsh paintbrush populations may be diploid or tetraploid, though diploid populations are more common.[7] This species, especially in its diploid form, is known to hybridize and produce viable seed with the diploid Castilleja levisecta (golden paintbrush) in laboratory and experimental grassland restoration settings.[8][9] This hybridization potential has been identified as a threat to the genetic integrity of golden paintbrush, which is endangered, requiring land managers to develop strategies for balancing the ecological needs of these two Castilleja species and endangered insects that rely on them.[7]
Ecology
editHarsh paintbrush plays an important role in grassland multitrophic interactions. For example, its foliage naturally contains defensive compounds called iridoid glycosides that are sequestered in the tissues of the endangered Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae, which have developed a tolerance for these compounds and are able to consume golden paintbrush foliage.[10] These sequestered iridoid glycosides then confer chemical protection against bird predators to the butterfly larvae.[10] Harsh paintbrush is also one of the preferred oviposition species for female Taylor's checkerspot butterflies.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Castilleja hispida: Harsh Indian-paintbrush". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
- ^ a b c Hitchcock, C. Leo; Cronquist, Arthur (2018). Flora of the Pacific Northwest (2nd ed.). Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 505. ISBN 978-0-29574-288-5.
- ^ "Castilleja hispida ". Kew Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
- ^ a b c Pojar, Jim; MacKinnon, Andy (1994). Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast (2nd ed.). Lone Pine. p. 258. ISBN 978-1-55105-530-5.
- ^ "The Role of Hemiparasites in Structuring Ecosystems". National Science Foundation Awards Reports. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- ^ "Harsh Indian Paintbrush - Castilleja hispida". Montana's Official State Website - Montana Field Guides. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- ^ a b c Strategy and Guidance for Minimizing Hybridization Risk of Castilleja levisecta (CALE) with Castilleja hispida (CAHI) While Advancing Conservation of CALE and Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori; TCB) (PDF) (Report). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Washington Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
- ^ Loretta Fisher; Jonathan D. Bakker; Peter W. Dunwiddie (2015). An Assessment of Seed Production and Viability of Putative Castilleja levisecta × C. hispida Hybrids (Report). Center for Natural Lands Management and University of Washington. doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.4327.2081. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
- ^ Thomas N. Kaye; Matt Blakely (2008). An Evaluation of the Potential for Hybridization Between Castilleja levisecta and C. hispida (Report). Institute for Applied Ecology. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
- ^ a b Haan, Nate L.; Bakker, Jonathan D.; Bowers, M. Deane (14 January 2021). "Preference, performance, and chemical defense in an endangered butterfly using novel and ancestral host plants". Scientific Reports. 11 (992): 992. Bibcode:2021NatSR..11..992H. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80413-y. PMC 7809109. PMID 33446768.