It is a short perennial with sticky, wavy-edged leaves, which are divided closer to the top of the plant.

[1] It bears bright, showy paintbrush-shaped inflorescences of small red[1] to yellowish-red tubular flowers.

Like other species of Indian paintbrush, it is a root parasite, feeding off plants such as sagebrush.

[1] Although it can survive without parasitizing other plants, individuals that take a host grow faster and larger.

They are variable in appearance but distinguishable from other Castilleja species by the wavy margins and stickiness of the leaves.