Herbs, annual, (0.6–)1–3(–4) dm; with fibrous roots. Stems solitary, erect, unbranched or branched, hairs spreading, medium length and long, soft to ± stiff, mixed with shorter stipitate-glandular ones. Leaves green to purple, linear to narrowly lanceolate, 0.5–4.2 cm, not fleshy, margins plane, flat, 0(–5)-lobed, apex acuminate to acute; lobes ascending to erect, linear to narrowly lanceolate, apex acuminate. Inflorescences 1.5–15 × 1.5–3 cm; bracts green throughout, or proximally green, distally white to rarely cream on apices, with a tuft of erect, white, soft hairs, especially when immature, narrowly lanceolate to narrowly ovate, 3–5-lobed; lobes ascending, linear to lanceolate, long, proximal lobes arising near base, apex obtuse to acute. Calyces light green, lobes deep green, sometimes purple, 5.5–12 mm; abaxial and adaxial clefts 2.5–6.5 mm, 30–50% of calyx length, lateral 2–4.5 mm, 30–40% of calyx length; lobes linear to narrowly lanceolate or triangular, apex acuminate or acute. Corollas straight or slightly curved distally, 12–25 mm; tube 18 mm; abaxial lip and beak exserted; beak adaxially white or pale yellow, 3.5–9 mm, hairs dense, spreading, medium length, obscuring surface; abaxial lip yellow, inflated, abruptly expanded, obpyramidal, pouches 3, central pouch slightly 2-lobed, 4–5 mm deep, 3–8 mm, 75–90% as long as beak; teeth erect, whitish to pale yellow, 1–2 mm. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering Jun–Jul.
Habitat: Springs, moist or wet meadows, flats, open forests.
Elevation: 1000–2500 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Calif.

Discussion

Most populations of Castilleja lasiorhyncha are in the San Bernardino Mountains, with a few records in the adjacent Peninsular Ranges immediately to the south. The distal tufts of soft, pale hairs on the immature bracts are apparently unique in the genus.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.