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Castilleja ambigua  Hook. & Arn.
Johnny nip,   Paintbrush orthocarpus
© 2017 Steve Matson
© 2017 Steve Matson
© 2023 Steve Conger
© 2022 Cynthia Powell
© 2022 Irene Rosen
© 2017 Toni Corelli
© 2022 Cynthia Powell
© 2022 Cynthia Powell
© 2020 Julian Geoghegan
© 2022 Cynthia Adkisson
© 2022 Cynthia Powell
© 2022 Irene Rosen
© 2016 Asa & Teresa Spade
© 2024 Mary Ann Machi
© 2024 R.A. Chasey
© 2024 Steve Conger
© 2018 Hannah Aclufi
© 2018 Hannah Aclufi
© 2021 Mary Sue Ittner
© 2016 Mary Sue Ittner
© 2016 Toni Corelli
© 2017 Paul Preston
© 2022 Justin Luong
Castilleja ambigua is an annual herb that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in western North America.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
DJJJASONAFMM

Bloom Period

Wetlands: Occurs usually in wetlands, occasionally in non wetlands

Habitat: coastal, salt-marsh

Communities: Coastal Salt Marsh, Northern Coastal Scrub, wetland-riparian

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
JEFOrthocarpus castillejoides
Information about  Castilleja ambigua from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
Commercial availability unknown.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (CAAM32)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Range, Habitat: Castilleja ambigua is a species of Indian paintbrush known by the common name Johnny-nip. It is native to western part of North America from British Columbia to California, where its commonly found growing along the salt marshes and scrubs of the coast. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/29/2025).