Purple owl's clover (Castilleja exserta)

Purple owl's clover (Castilleja exserta) is an annual in the same species as the Indian paintbrushes. It was formerly included in the genus Orthocarpus, and some sources may still refer to it by that name. Although this species is variable in appearance and easily hybridizes with other Castilleja, it generally bears shaggy pink-purple or lavender flower clusters that resemble clover (though they are not related). The thin, erect leaves are usually tipped with the same color, giving the flower cluster the appearance of a paintbrush. It produces pods containing seeds. The plant's showy appearance when in flower makes it a great fit for informal meadows and related landscapes. Like other related plants in the family, purple owl's clover derives some of its nutrients directly from the roots of other plants. Therefore, it is almost always planted, or grown from seed, with a perennial species from its natural plant community to serve as the host plant, such as a native grass. It takes full sun, prefers fast-draining soil but is tolerant of sand and clay. It does not need summer water. From Calscape.

Growers: Larner Seeds

Other Names Used: Owl's Clover

Family: Orobanchaceae

Life Cycle: Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Sun Exposure: Full

Bloom Period: Spring, Summer (March to June)

Bloom Color(s): Purple, Pink, White

Plant Height: 2 feet tall

Plant Width: 1 foot wide

California Regions:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• North Coast
• Central Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• Sierra Nevada
• Central California Coast
• Southern Coast
• Southern California Inland
• Desert

Ecological Benefits:

• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife, bats

Ecological Functions:

• Groundcover

Habitat Type:

• Chaparral
• Coastal Grassland
• Joshua Tree Woodland
• Coastal Strand
• Valley Grassland
• Northern Coastal Scrub
• Coastal Sage Scrub
• Creosote Bush Scrub

Human Uses/Cautions: 

Skill Level: Experienced

Seed Pretreatment: