Northern Paintbrush

Another contender for the coveted title of Minnesota’s rarest plant is northern paintbrush. It is a rare, disjunct alpine species. Its documented history is similar to other rare species of the area. First noted in 1891 at one location, it was then “lost” for nearly 100 years, until botanical surveys in the 1990s located two more small populations. To date that’s it, three extremely small locations. Unlike similar rare species which prefer crevices in the bedrock, this species favors cobble beaches. At least at this location.

The nearby island

The beach habitat of northern paintbrush

Northern paintbrush (Castilleja septentrionalis)
State Endangered Species

They grow in decent sized clumps

The shrubs and forbs do a good job of hiding them

I first observed this species back on May 18. At the time it was just starting to emerge. Distinguishing features when not in flower include a square stem and slightly hair leaves. The photos below convinced me my ID was correct, but coming back and seeing it in flower 100% confirmed it.

A young northern paintbrush


The small plant was not easy to find 

Like most members of Orobanchaceae it is a hemi-parasite, able to photosynthesis but also stealing resources from nearby plants. Other Castilleja species prefer grasses as their host, I’d assume the same of this one. Some other members of the family in MN include:

Hudson’s eyebright (Euphrasia hudsoniana var. ramosior)
State Special Concern Species

Canada lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis)

Cow wheat (Melampyrum limeade)

Indian paintbrush Castilleja coccinea)

Apart from the Hudson’s eyebright there are quite a few other rare plants and lichens in the general area:

Close-headed sedge (Carex media)
State Special Concern Species 

Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris)
State Special Concern Species

False reindeer lichen (Cladonia wainioi)
State Special Concern Species

Rimmed-camouflage lichen (Melanelia hepatizon)
State Watchlist Species

Green rock-posy (Rhizoplaca melanophthalma)
State Watchlist Species

Port-hole lichen (Menehazzia terebrata)
State Special Concern Species

Powdery almond lichen (Amygdalaria panaeola)
State Special Concern Species 

Shaly jelly lichen (Enchylium polycarpon)
State Watchlist Species














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