The Indian Paintbrush by Dr.Starfish

  Hi I'm Dr.Starfish, and my topic is about castilleja commonly known as Indian paintbrush and prairie-fire, it's a native wildflower found in both moist and dry areas also in sandy prairies. There are more than 200 types of Indian paintbrushes, and grow 1-2 feet tall. They come in many other colors but red, orange, and yellow are the most common.

   They bloom in early spring and thought summer, they like the sun but a little shading would be fine. They are also edible sometimes, but small amounts, because some soils have selenium (a toxic, alkaline metal) which the flowers absorb.

    Many tribes use them as a paintbrush, where it got its name from. The Chippewa Indians used it as medicine for rheumatism (a disease caused by swelling and pain in joints or mussels. Also for a bath rinse to make their hair glossy. Both from the selenium.