American cancer-root (Conopholis americana) is in the broomrape family family (Orobanchaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,455 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph American cancer-root: observations by month (U.S.)
About American cancer-root
Conopholis americana (American cancer-root or squawroot or bear corn) is a perennial, non-photosynthesizing (or "achlorophyllous") parasitic plant, from the family Orobanchaceae and more recently from the genus Conopholis but also listed as Orobanche, native but not endemic to North America and when blooming, resembles a pine cone or cob of corn growing from the roots of mostly oak and beech trees.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
American cancer-root by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 386 | May | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 328 | May | May–May |
| Ohio | 125 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 100 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Tennessee | 81 | April | Apr–May |
| Pennsylvania | 71 | May | May–May |
| West Virginia | 54 | May | May–May |
| New York | 47 | May | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 39 | June | May–Jul |
| Indiana | 37 | May | Apr–May |
| Wisconsin | 30 | June | May–Jun |
| New Jersey | 29 | May | May–Jun |
| Alabama | 28 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Maryland | 27 | May | Apr–May |
| Massachusetts | 17 | May | May–Jun |
| Georgia | 15 | March | Mar–May |
| District of Columbia | 12 | May | Apr–May |
| South Carolina | 10 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Vermont | 6 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Connecticut | 5 | May | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (broomrape family)
Warrior's Plume
Canadian lousewort
Purple Owl's-Clover
Mediterranean lineseed
Felt Paintbrush
Texas Paintbrush
One-Flowered Cancer-Root
Narrowleaf Cow Wheat
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 cancer-root?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is American cancer-root most often seen?
The most observations come from North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio.