Castilleja ambigua
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Castilleja_ambigua.jpg
|image_caption =
|genus = Castilleja
|species = ambigua
|synonyms = Orthocarpus castillejoides
}}
Castilleja ambigua is a species of Indian paintbrush known by the common name Johnny-nip. It is native to western part of North America from British Columbia to California, where its commonly found growing along the salt marshes and scrubs of the coast.
Description
This is a highly variable annual herb growing to a maximum height of about 30 centimeters. The leaves are 1 to 5 centimeters long which could be lobed or not. The inflorescence is up to 12 centimeters in length and a few in width. It is packed with bracts that have white to light purple ridged tips. Between the bracts emerge the lobed flowers, which could be yellow, light purple or rose in color. Its fruit comes in a capsule shape with about a centimeter length.
Subspecies
There are three subspecies, two of which are endemic to California.
The Humboldt Bay owl's clover, Castilleja ambigua ssp. humboldtiensis, is considered a threatened plant in Northern California.
There are also five infraspecies: var. ambigua, var. heckardii, var. humboldtiensis, var. insalutata, and var. meadii.
External links
- [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?7177,7206,7211 Jepson Manual Treatment: Castilleja ambigua]
- [http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Castilleja+ambigua Castilleja ambigua Photo gallery]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q5049894}}
Category:Flora of British Columbia
Category:Flora of Washington (state)
Category:Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
Category:Natural history of the California Coast Ranges
Category:Taxa named by William Jackson Hooker
Category:Flora without expected TNC conservation status
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