Indian Paintbrush Research Paper

Indian paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa)

The Indian Paintbrush is often seen in a field with Bluebonnet’s, as well as many other wildflowers. Back in the day, Navajo Indians used the Indian Paintbrush for medical uses as well as soaking the plant in grease to make hair oil. On January 31, 1917 it became the state flower of Wyoming. Most paintbrushes are parasitic, which means it relies on surrounding plants for growth. The roots of the Indian Paintbrush cling on to roots from other plants to gain additional nutrients. It can grow in many different types of soil such as sand, clay, and medium loam. The majority of Indian Paintbrushes thrive is sandy soil from Northeast to Southwest Texas. For growth the flower needs full sunlight and well-drained soil. The Indian Paintbrush has the best chance of survival in a meadow with other native plants. Germination for

It is very poisonous to cattle and humans. It has been used for removing venom from a stake bite and then chewing up the flower and applying it to the wounded area. Native Americans have also used the berries for curing milk in the cheese process, as well as using the berries to treat a sore throat and toothache. This species of flower is known as a tenacious weed and is hard to control due to the spread of its seeds. The Silverleaf nightshade is a perennial that flowers May-September and requires very little water to stay alive. This flower thrives in dry clay and sandy soil just fine but extra watering will increase blooming. As I learned by picking this flower, the stems a covered is small prickly thorns. Even though it is known to be a less attractive plant it still blooms a beautiful purple flower. Each plant can produce up to 60 berries, containing anywhere from 10-200 seeds and can grow from 1-3ft tall. The main location for the Silverleaf nightshade is in pastures, vinyards, and other unmanaged