What is an Indian brush?

Indian brush is a type of flowering plant that is most often found in the wild. The term Indian brush, which grows primarily in North America, means more than 200 species in the family Castilleja . These plants are bright colored and are partially or completely parasitic to other plants. The flowers themselves are small and tubes similar, without large color, but leaves, leaves placed directly under each flower and shaped as scales, are tilted with light colors, usually red, orange or yellow. From a distance, the documents seemed to be the petals themselves. When connected, the brush will absorb some of the nutrients that the other plant gets. Parasitic plants or hemiparasites, like Indian brush, is generally undesirable to have in domestic gardens and is difficult to grow and maintain when it is included. Trying to move with grown plants usually leads to death because of their parasitic nature, so when they are deliberately planted, they must start from the seeds.

The brush is an annual or biennial depending on the species and is usually found in fields and meadows. The first year of growth has a very low height, barely extends over the grass that surrounds it. During the second growing year, however, the stems can reach up to 18 inches (45.7 cm). Adult Indian brushes can be as high as 36 inches (91.44 cm), with 2 or 3 inches (5-7.6 cm) floral clusters.

Although the brush is not ideal for gardens, it can be intentionally planted as a wild flower. Since 2003, Arkansas has begun to plant the most common types of brush, Castilleja coccinea , along the roads on the interstate system to help beautify the landscape. This bright red flower not only adds visual attraction to otherwise drab roads, but also helps prevent soil erosion.

Another common type of brush and one of the most popular is Castilleja Indivisa . As coccinea , Indivisa has a brightRed flowers. This species is more often known as the Scarlet brush. Scarlet can be distinguished from coccinea by its wider leaves and flowers.

Wyoming accepted one kind of Indian brush, castilleja linariafolia as its state flower. Although the opposition of botanists, who believed that his parasitic nature, as well as his non -loss in Wyoming should disqualify her, was a popular appeal. The brush painting officially became Wyoming's state flower in 1917.