Castilleja: Indian Paintbrush
comprises 109 species across North America. The noticeable "flower" consists of bracts, usually bright red or orange, which hide small flowers. These flowers are narrow tubes formed by petals, often yellow or green. Paintbrush blooms late winter, spring or summer. A semi-parasite, Paintbrush is always found next to a companion plant, very often grass, which it invades through its roots. Transplanting one from the wild usually kills the plant. Most are short-lived perennials.

To grow this plant from seed, first sow seeds of a companion plant in a seed-starting medium indoors. As those seeds begin to sprout, sow the Paintbrush seeds next to them. When the seedlings are large enough to survive outside, place them in an outside area with part shade for the first five days.

Phoradendron californicum: Desert Mistletoe
is a perennial parasite occurring on trees such as Acacia, Palo Verde, Ironwood and Mesquite. Velvet Mesquite and Catclaw Acacia are especially susceptible. A partial parasite, Desert Mistletoe is capable of photosynthesizing, but its roots invade the bark of the host plant and take in water and some nutrients.

Desert Mistletoe has narrow scale-like leaves resembling a clump of grass that can be green, yellow-brown or brown. Its flowers are tiny and yellowish-green.

The fruit are pinkish-orange, non-sticky berries that ripen in winter. Birds feed on the berries, which turn sticky in their digestive tracts. They then disperse the seeds to the bark of trees.

If many clumps of mistletoe form on a tree, this parasite can eventually kill its host. One course of action is to cut off the branch of the tree 1' to 3' below the attachment point of the Mistletoe when the parasite is first noticed. However, the Mistletoe can reappear. Once it is as large as that shown in the photo, the best option may be to cut the host tree to the ground. Both Acacia and Mesquite trees will re-sprout from stumps. There are no chemical treatments.