Castilleja viscidula
Perennial herb in the Orobanchaceae native to Oregon, southwestern Idaho, and central Nevada, 5–30 cm tall with long hairy stems, elongated two-lobed leaves, and green-yellow flowers in 2–14 cm inflorescences that bloom in summer, found in high-elevation sandy grasslands (2000–3200 m) of the northwestern United States, including alpine records such as Dixie Mountain, Grant County, Oregon.
Summary
Native to Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada, this perennial in the Orobanchaceae occurs in temperate sandy grassland habitats at elevations of 2000–3200 m. It has a taproot, adpressed long hirsute stems, and oblong bilobate leaves; the inflorescence measures 2–14 cm with lanceolate, trilobate bracts and a straight corolla of 16–22 mm. The plant grows to 5–30 cm tall and displays green and yellow coloration, blooming in summer.
Cultivation requires a sunny site with poor sandy soil, and alpine house culture is possible. Propagation is by seed sown in spring, uncovered, with germination in 1–3 months at 16–21°C, or by cuttings in late summer.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2-12 inches
Spread
2-12 inches
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun.
Soil Type
Poor, sandy soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Bloom Color
Green, Yellow
Bloom Time
Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green, Yellow
Seasons of Interest
Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds and Cuttings
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- A.Gray
- Publication
- Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 2(1): 297 (1878)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus
- Castilleja