Hump Day Herbs - Indian Paint Brush
Indian Paint Brush
Botanical Name: Castilleja
Folk Names: Snake’s Maiden, Snakes Matches
Native to North America, Indian Paintbrush is a genus of about 200 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants.
According to Native American legend, a young brave became frustrated in his attempts to paint a sunset with his war-paints. He then asked for guidance from the Great Spirit****. The Great Spirit gave him paintbrushes laden with sunset colors**. With these gifts, he painted his masterpiece. He then left the spent brushes in fields across the landscape.** The brushes sprouted into the vibrant reds, scarlets, yellows and purples of the Indian paintbrush.