The Indian paintbrush, also known as ‘Prairie Fire’, is native to the western Americas and became the Wyoming state flower in 1917. Contrary to its name, the flower of the paintbrush isn’t a flower at all. The petal-like bracts are actually modified leaves.

Native American Tribes and the Indian Paintbrush

Indian paintbrush has been used by many different Native American Tribes in a number of ways, from condiments to medicine to hair gloss. Paintbrush has a high selenium content, which can also make it toxic if consumed in high amounts.

These plants are hemiparasitic and suck water and nutrients from perennial grasses and other plants through their roots despite their ability to also photosynthesize. They rely on pollinators like hummingbirds for reproduction.

Multiple North American Tribes share an origin story for the Indian Paintbrush. Legend has it that a young boy was on a quest to paint the sunset but couldn’t find any way to capture the colors until he found a bed of Paintbrush. He left his paintbrushes behind, which is why Indian Paintbrush flowers are found in every color of the sunset: red, orange, yellow, pink and blue.

As summer creeps into the valley, these plants can be found around town and in Grand Teton National Park through July.

Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.