figwort jTamil^. 



Indian Paint-brush. Castilleia coccinea. 



Painted Cup. 



Fouod iu June, growing in low grounds, and wet meadows. 



The single, leafy stalk rises from a cluster of I'oot-leaves ; it is 8 to 

 10 inches in height, somewhat square-angled, and hollow, of a tough, 

 rather coarse fibre, with a hairy surface. Color, dull crimson, the short 

 hairs being gray or white. 



The root-leaves are oblong, seldom notched ; on the stalk the low- 

 est leaves are narrow, while above they are wedge-shaped and generally 

 deeply cleft into 3 lobes ; the margins are entire, and the surface is 

 hairy. In color a light clear green ; the ends of the upper leaves and 

 those which support the flowers look as though they had been dipped 

 iu a scarlet dye. The leaves all sit immediately upon the stalk ; they are 

 placed alternately, and at some distance apart, but more crowded among 

 the flowers. 



The small corolla of the flower is tubular and 2-lipped, yellow and 

 green iu color; it is almost concealed within the long cylindrical 2-cleft 

 calyx, which is colored a clear light green with a scarlet margin. The 

 long curving pistil is green tinted. The flowers are set in the clasp of 

 the upper leaves, and foi'm a close terminal cluster. 



Quite eclipsed by the gorgeous hues of the floral leaves and calices, 

 the paler flower hides its head, its long pistil alone claiming attention. 

 The exact marking of the vivid scarlet upon the tips makes the folk- 

 name " Paintbrush " more applicable to its general aspect, than that of 

 " Painted Cup," which of course only applies to the effect of the single 

 calyx. In some localities the color is not scarlet, but yellow, it is re- 

 ported. The plant is called a parasite by the botanists : it therefore 

 may not be transplanted but glows in splendid patches of color in 

 favorite camps of its own choosing. 



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