Appearance
"Castilleja exserta" is an annual herb about 100–450 millimetres tall with a hairy stem covered in thready leaves. Like other related "Castilleja" plants, this species is a hemiparasite, deriving some of its nutrients directly from the roots of other plants by infiltrating them with haustoria. As a result, its own leaves are small and reduced.Although this species is variable in appearance and easily hybridizes with other "Castilleja" species, it generally bears a brightly colored inflorescence of shaggy pink-purple or lavender flowers. The thin, erect bracts are usually tipped with the same color, giving the inflorescence the appearance of a paintbrush.
Naming
Its common names include purple owl's clover, escobita, and exserted Indian paintbrush.References:
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