American bistort (Bistorta bistortoides) is in the knotweed family family (Polygonaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,053 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph American bistort: observations by month (U.S.)
About American bistort
Bistorta bistortoides (American bistort, western bistort, smokeweed, mountain meadow knotweed, mountain buckwheat or mountain meadow buckwheat) is a perennial herb in the buckwheat and knotweed family Polygonaceae. The species name remains unresolved.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
American bistort by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 475 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Washington | 234 | July | Jul–Aug |
| California | 105 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Oregon | 77 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Utah | 76 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Wyoming | 35 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Idaho | 12 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Montana | 12 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Nevada | 11 | July | Jun–Aug |
| New Mexico | 10 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Arizona | 6 | August | Jun–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (knotweed family)
California Buckwheat
Low Smartweed
Desert Trumpet
Sulfur Buckwheat
American jumpseed
Naked Buckwheat
Japanese knotweed
Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb
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 bistort?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to August.
Where is American bistort most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Washington, California.