American basketflower (Plectocephalus americanus) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,741 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph American basketflower: observations by month (U.S.)
About American basketflower
Centaurea americana, commonly called American starthistle or American basketflower, is an annual native to the southern central United States and northeastern Mexico. Its common name comes from the underside of the inflorescence, which has a basket weave pattern on it and on the flowerbuds.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
American basketflower by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1,708 | June | May–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 16 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Mexico | 8 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Arkansas | 7 | July | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies)
black-eyed Susan
Common Yarrow
White Snakeroot
Chicory
Lawn daisy
Philadelphia fleabane
Pearly Everlasting
Blue Mistflower
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph American basketflower?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is American basketflower most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico.