Castilleja exserta

Castilleja exserta or Purple Owl's Clover is a common annual found in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and grasslands. Flowers are showy in spring and form a dense spike of variable colors (white, purple, red). A member of the Scrophulariaceae, or figwort family, C. exserta is occasionally used by Quino Checkerspot butterflies as a host plant, although they prefer Plantago erecta if it is available.

Introduction to Valentien Collection
Gallery of Plants
Monarca: A Gallery of Butterfly Plants

Text by Margaret Dykens