All paintbrushes have rather woody, well branched
root systems. Most are covered with stiff hairs. Although the flowers are
rather small and non-showy, they are associated with numerous colourful
bractlike leaves that function as attractant. The petals are fused into
a narrow, elongate, greenish-yellow tube. The sepals are partially fused
and are coloured similarly to the bracts. The Yellowish Paintbrush is a
perennial with clustered
stems that are erect, stout, and often branched above. They are 30-60 cm
tall, sometimes purplish and have leaves that are linear or linear-lanceolate
.
Distribution
Map
Red dots indicate specimen records or confirmed breeding sites.
British Columbia
The Yellowish Paintbrush is rare in south central and southeast British
Columbia.
North America
It ranges east to southwest Alberta and south to Montana, eastern Washington,
Idaho north of the Salmon River, and northeastern Oregon.
Habitat
Dry slopes and open coniferous forests in the grasslands of the steppe
vegetation and montane zones are the preferred habitat of the Yellowish
Paintbrush.
Why is it endangered?
This species along with others of the grasslands communities are endangered
for a number of reasons. Livestock grazing, range re-seeding and off-road
recreation have modified much of the remaining "undeveloped"
grassland areas. In addition, cultivation, agricultural and urban development,
prescribed burning, forest encroachment, road and trail development, alien
plant and animal species introductions, and hydro-electric power projects
have caused outright, irreversible losses of native grassland species
in general.
Because grasslands have been so influenced by human activities, a relatively
large number of wildlife species associated with grasslands (including
this plant species) are listed as threatened or endangered. Because of
these combined influences and the relatively limited distribution of grasslands,
"ancient" grasslands represent a much more endangered space
in British Columbia than do "ancient" or old-growth forests.
Biology
An interesting adaptation of paintbrushes is that they are able to parasitize
the roots of associated plants, especially sagebrush. From the host plant,
the paintbrush derives both water and organic materials, thus increasing
its tolerance to dry conditions and its ecological range.
Blooms from May to August.
Sources for more information
Related On-line Sites to Visit
Publications
The Vascular Plants of BC, MOF, pt3, 1991, p. 84
Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest, Hitchcock, 1971.
Museum Specimens
this section sponsored by:
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