Castilleja affinis var. contentiosa
hairs sparse proximally, becoming fairly dense distally, branched.
often ± fleshy.
2–4 cm wide;
bracts proximally greenish to dull purplish, distally pink to pinkish purple or pinkish red, sometimes yellow, pinkish white, red, or pale orange, (0–)3–5-lobed.
25–30 mm;
beak subequal with or exserted from calyx, 14–20 mm.
colored as bracts or paler near base, 15–25 mm.
Castilleja affinis var. contentiosa
Variety contentiosa is restricted to the immediate coast in southern San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties, where it replaces var. affinis. The distinctive branched hairs impart a grayish cast to the plants, and this variety is further distinguished by the commonly pink to pink-purple or purplish red inflorescences. Variety affinis usually has unbranched hairs and reddish to red-orange inflorescences. Transitional plants exist a few miles inland from the coastal populations of var. contentiosa. This form has also been confused with Castilleja miniata, from which it differs in numerous characters, including pubescence and leaf and calyx morphologies, as well as with the insular C. mollis, which is distinguished by its largely decumbent stems and broad, rounded, usually unlobed leaves and bracts.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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