Castilleja rubicundula var. rubicundula
Herbs 0.6–6 dm. Leaves 0–7-lobed, lobes widely spreading. Bracts 5–9-lobed. Corollas: abaxial lip white, in most populations quickly fading to pink or pink-purple, usually purple-dotted at base, teeth white.
Phenology: Flowering (Apr–)May–Jun(–Jul).
Habitat: Grasslands, damp meadows, springs, woodland edges, dry rocky slopes, coastal valleys and foothills, often on serpentine.
Elevation: 0–1000 m.
Discussion
Variety rubicundula grows in the northern and western portions of the Sacramento Valley, the North Coast Range, and San Francisco Bay area of California, often on serpentine substrates. It is far less common than var. lithospermoides and often occurs in somewhat more mesic conditions. Populations in the north-central Sacramento Valley contain unusually robust plants with especially large flowers, and were named Orthocarpus bicolor. Variety rubicundula is of conservation concern, threatened by habitat loss to development, agriculture, and grazing.
Selected References
None.