Rainier’s low elevation paintbrush. Of the five species in the Park, C. hispida is the primary paintbrush of the forest zone. Their hairy stems raise 12″ – 20″ (30 – 50 cm). Upper leaves and bracts are square shaped with 3 – 5 deep lobes. Like all paintbrush the bracts provide the color which can range from scarlet, orange, or yellow. Paintbrushes are “hemiparasites” for they have specialized roots to obtain some nutrients from the roots of other plants. Usually found in dry gravelly soil (like roadsides) to about 4,000′ elevation.