FLORIDA PAINTBRUSH

—MEDICINAL USES:  Roger Hammer writes, “Leaf extracts werecombined with horseradish as a urinary antiseptic drug called Rasapen.”  Rasapen is a "urinary antiseptic drug." According to Daniel Austin in his encyclopedic book Florida Ethnobotany, it was this very this species that is a urinary antiseptic and was sold under the proprietary name Rasapen. Also, ActaChemaScandinavica published an article entitled “Volatile constituents of Carphephoruscorymbosus and Carphephoruspaniculatus.” by Karlsson K, Wahlberg I, EnzellCR. [11] 
—WILDLIFE: Craig Huegel writes, “few wildflowers in Florida attract butterflies as well as Florida Paintbrush.”  “Attracts many butterflies and other pollinators.” [7]  

MAIN PHOTO: Shell Creek Preserve, Punta Gorda, FL, Sept. 25, 2016
—NATIVE TO:  South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.  In Florida. Throughout north and central Florida, also in most southern and two panhandle counties.  IRC South Florida status: rare. [10] 
—HABITAT:  Sandhills, pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, upland mixed forests, mesic flatwoods, dry meadows, and ruderal sites.
—DESCRIPTION:  A short-lived [7] perennial herb 3-4,’ and sometimes 5’ tall. [3]  Craig Huegel, an expert, tells us that it is a long-lived perennial. 
- STEMS: Stems leafy, hairy, “finely downy.” [2] 
- LEAVES: Basal leaves present at flowering time.  Stem leaves alternate, sessile. Plants die back each winter.   
- INFLORESCENCE: Inflorescence a terminal cluster, 5-6” wide, of showy bright pink, tubular flowers, appearing in the autumn, September-December.  Some occasionally flower as early as June.  Ray florets lacking. 
- FRUIT: Fruit an achene. 
—CULTURE:
- HARDINESS: USDA zones 8A-9B/10. [7/6] 
- LIGHT: Full sun. 
- WATER:  Craig Huegel says that it is the most drought tolerant species in the genus. 
- PROPAGATION:  By seeds.  Seedlings readily pop up near the mother plant.