Castilleja Species, Sierra Woolly Indian Paintbrush, Woolly Paintbrush

Although in some regions of Mexico the Indian Paintbrush is called Hierba de Conejo; in Oaxaca, the plant referred to is tridax coronapif...Read Moreolia. It's a species of aster. My source is Diana Kennedy's book Oaxaca al Gusto.

Here in Oaxaca, Mexico we use this herb and call it Hierba de Conejo (rabbit herb) - I've been told the leaves look like rabbit ears.
...Read More/> It is wonderful in black beans. Cook the beans with a little onion, garlic, chili and epazote.
While the beans are cooking take off the woody stems and roots and wash very well.
cook in a hot dry skillet until color changes and aroma changes. Put in blender with a dry roasted garlic and onion and add enough water to puree. Add and cook another 15 minutes. Delicious. We also add tepicha or most often listed a chepiche
http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Dictionary/C/Chepiche-6131.aspx
just wash and cut roughly. Perhaps share some with your local hispanic store!!!!
We also add corn masa dumlings called "belly buttons". My favorite dish here - I eat it a lot!!!!!

What a beauty!! These were growing just off the road, some in the sun and in some afternoon shade. I looked them up and came across dif...Read Moreferent varieties, but this is my favorite. I have not been able to find where I can get seeds. Most wildflower websites do not carry the seeds to sell. After a day of photographing wildflowers just outside of Yosemite we saw these and pulled over. I took a lot more of these but three should be enough to show how special they are (to me anyways).

They seem to be about 2 feet high and three feet wide, growing in sandy dry soil, so they need good drainage and sun. If I ever find the seeds I know they will flourish here in Vacaville, Ca.