Indian Paintbrush

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clusters of spiky blooms resemble paintbrushes dipped in brightly colored paint – so the legend goes. One thing for certain, their brilliant petals light up the forest clearings and grasslands they’re known to inhabit. Indian Paintbrush often requires a host plant to survive, intertwining its roots with other plants, such as grasses and sagebrush, to obtain nourishment. Despite their parasitic nature, their fiery petals are a feast for the eyes on a sunny summer’s day.

 

Bowman-Lottie Bay Trail 

Fidalgo Island, Washington, USA