Monterey paintbrush (Castilleja latifolia) is in the broomrape family family (Orobanchaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,011 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from February to November, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Monterey paintbrush: observations by month (U.S.)
About Monterey paintbrush
Castilleja latifolia is a species of Indian paintbrush known by the common name Monterey Indian paintbrush.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Monterey paintbrush by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,011 | May | Feb–Nov |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (broomrape family)
Warrior's Plume
Canadian lousewort
Purple Owl's-Clover
Mediterranean lineseed
American cancer-root
Felt Paintbrush
Texas Paintbrush
One-Flowered Cancer-Root
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Monterey paintbrush?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from February to November.
Where is Monterey paintbrush most often seen?
The most observations come from California.