Castilleja pallida, commonly known as Pale Indian Paintbrush, is a perennial herb native to a variety of habitats across North America and Russia, including prairies, meadows, open woodlands, and moist areas. It typically grows to a height of 1-2.5 feet (0.3-0.8 meters). This species is characterized by its unique inflorescences, which consist of bracts that are often mistaken for petals; these bracts can be pink, green, or white and are quite showy when they bloom in the summer. The actual flowers are small and inconspicuous, nestled among the colorful bracts.

Pale Indian Paintbrush is valued for its ability to add splashes of color to wildflower gardens and naturalized areas. It is a hemiparasitic plant, meaning it derives some of its nutrients from the roots of neighboring plants, which should be considered when planting. It is used for its ornamental value and is also important for native pollinators. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and thrives in medium draining loam or sandy soils with medium moisture. While it is not a high-maintenance plant, it can be challenging to establish due to its parasitic nature. It is not commonly afflicted by diseases but can suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly draining soils.CC BY-SA 4.0