Thieves and Beauties
Leaves of Red Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) are illuminated by mid-day sun in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Colorado. Although they convincingly look the part, the red parts of the plant are actually leaves, not petals, as is clear on the individual in focus on the right. The title stems from the fact that these plants are opportunistic root parasites. Isotope studies have revealed that they are happy to purloin sugars from their neighbors underground, though I have to say they do employ their stolen bounty to beautiful effect.
Thieves and Beauties
Leaves of Red Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) are illuminated by mid-day sun in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Colorado. Although they convincingly look the part, the red parts of the plant are actually leaves, not petals, as is clear on the individual in focus on the right. The title stems from the fact that these plants are opportunistic root parasites. Isotope studies have revealed that they are happy to purloin sugars from their neighbors underground, though I have to say they do employ their stolen bounty to beautiful effect.