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Indian paintbrush
Castilleja coccinea
Honeybees occasionally visit Indian paintbrush for nectar and pollen, but the tubular flowers make it more suitable for long-tongued pollinators like bumblebees and hummingbirds. Peak bloom hits in late spring to early summer, providing early-season forage. As a hemiparasitic biennial, it requires host plants nearby for nutrient uptake and does not persist beyond two years.
| Nectar | low |
|---|---|
| Pollen | low |
| Bloom | April–July |
| USDA zones | 4-8 |
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | full |
| Native | Eastern North America |