Someone’s weed is someone else’s wildflower. Paintbrushes will always be mine. It’s been that way since I was a little girl. I’ve used them all throughout my branding and they have such a special meaning to me. I pick them daily and fill Mason jars up to decorate our home. They are only here for a short time and then they are gone. Like me, unable to survive on their own, they gather their nutrients from other plants to survive. It reminds me of our dependence on The Lord. We can only sustain ourselves for so long but living water flows from Him. I like to think of my piece of Heaven having a pasture covered in these with all of the horses I’ve loved. Some think of these as weeds but I see them as one of his most beautiful creations. Spring rolls in with new life and new beginnings as these blanket the prairie after long winters. Maybe the hope they carry with them is what I admire most.

I found some more info and find it fascinating and wanted to share. “The flowers of Indian paintbrush are edible, and were consumed in moderation by various Native American tribes as a condiment with other fresh greens. These plants have a tendency to absorb and concentrate selenium in their tissues from the soils in which they grow, and can be potentially very toxic if the roots or green parts of the plant are consumed. Highly alkaline soils increase the selenium levels in the plants. Indian paintbrush has similar health benefits to consuming garlic, though only if the flowers are eaten in small amounts and in moderation.

The Ojibwe used a hairwash made from Indian paintbrush to make their hair glossy and full bodied, and as a treatment for rheumatism. The high selenium content of this plant has been cited as the reason for its effectiveness for these purposes.”

“May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.”

– Native American Proverb