Castilleja minor var. spiralis, commonly known as Serpentine Paintbrush, Lesser Indian Paintbrush, or Spiral Indian Paintbrush, is a perennial herb native to serpentine soils in the chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and open woodlands of Western North America. It is particularly adapted to alpine and subalpine meadows, slopes, and sagebrush steppe ecosystems. This species typically grows to a height of 0.5-1 feet (0.15-0.3 meters) and is characterized by its spirally arranged leaves and bracts. The flowers, which are actually bracts colored yellow or red, are quite showy and bloom in the summer, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds.

The Serpentine Paintbrush is valued for its unique foliage and vibrant flowers, which add color to rock gardens, native plant gardens, and wildflower meadows. It is also used in restoration projects, particularly in areas with serpentine soil. While it is not a high-maintenance plant, it does require conditions that mimic its native habitat, such as well-drained, sandy or loamy soils, and it thrives with medium amounts of water. It prefers full sun to part shade and is relatively drought-tolerant once established. There are no widely available garden cultivars due to its specific soil requirements and niche habitat. Gardeners should be aware that this plant can be difficult to cultivate outside of its native range and soil type.CC BY-SA 4.0