Definition

Noun: 1. A common name for any of various flowering plants belonging to the genus Castilleja, characterized by dense spikes of small, tubular flowers that are often partially hidden by brightly colored, leaf-like bracts. These bracts, which can be red, orange, yellow, or pink, give the appearance that the flower spike has been "dipped in paint," hence the name "painted cup."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The hillside was dotted with the brilliant red of the painted cup.
  • A botanist pointed out a rare yellow painted cup among the prairie grasses.
  • The painted cup is a hemiparasitic plant, often taking nutrients from the roots of neighboring grasses.

Advanced Usage

• As a collective term: The term "painted cup" is often used in the singular to refer to individual plants or collectively to describe a group or species within the genus.
  • The entire meadow was awash with painted cup.

Variants and Related Words

• Indian paintbrush: This is the most common synonym and alternative common name for plants in the genus , particularly in North America.
• Castilleja: The scientific genus name for all species commonly called painted cup or Indian paintbrush.

Synonyms

• Indian paintbrush

Notes on Meaning

The term "painted cup" specifically refers to the visual characteristic of the plant's inflorescence. The true flowers are small and greenish, but they are surrounded by large, showy bracts (modified leaves) that are brightly colored. It is these bracts that form the "cup" and provide the "painted" effect, making the plant highly conspicuous.

Noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Castilleja having dense spikes of hooded flowers with brightly colored bracts