Aquarius Indian Paintbrush
Photo Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Castilleja aquariensis
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Castilleja aquariensis is known from Garfield and Wayne Counties, Utah where it is only found on the Aquarius Plateau. This species is often associated with sagebrush-mixed forb meadow openings with Ribes, Aquilegia, Artemisia, Senecio, Achillea, Festuca, Penstemon and Potentilla. Aquarius Indian Paintbrush has pale yellow green flowers that bloom on top of bluish purple stems and leaves. Up close, you might see the flowers glisten in the sunlight due to the glandular hairs on the petals which can reflect light like tiny dew drops.
Description
Castilleja aquariensis is a perennial herb with one to several blue-purplish stems with short hairs, the plant reaches 12-26 cm tall. The stems are upright and irregular in their lengths. The leaves are purplish-green and narrowly lanceolate to l
Phenology
Flowers from late June to August.
Species range
Endemic to the Aquarius Plateau, Garfield Co. and Boulder Mountain, Wayne Co., Utah (Groebner 2005). This species forms part of the Septentrionales group in Castilleja, with each species occupying its own plateau with intervening valleys.
Map
Threats or limiting factors
Primary threats are from habitat degradation due to grazing, recreation, drought, and road maintenance.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies