American water-willow (Justicia americana) is in the Acanthus Family family (Acanthaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,413 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph American water-willow: observations by month (U.S.)
About American water-willow
American water-willow (Justicia americana) is a herbaceous, aquatic flowering plant in the Acanthus family native to North America. It is the hardiest species in the genus Justicia, the other members of which being largely tropical and subtropical, and it is able to survive as far north as USDA zone 4. It is common throughout its range.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
American water-willow by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 424 | April | Apr–Jul |
| Kentucky | 124 | June | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 100 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Arkansas | 95 | May | May–Jul |
| Virginia | 80 | June | May–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 76 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Alabama | 68 | May | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 68 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Indiana | 62 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Missouri | 44 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Illinois | 42 | July | Jun–Jul |
| West Virginia | 39 | June | Jun–Jul |
| North Carolina | 35 | June | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 33 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 28 | June | May–Jul |
| Michigan | 22 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Georgia | 17 | May | May–Jun |
| Mississippi | 15 | May | May–Jul |
| Kansas | 14 | June | May–Jun |
| New York | 9 | July | Jul–Jul |
| District of Columbia | 5 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Nebraska | 5 | June | Jun–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Acanthus Family)
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 water-willow?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to July.
Where is American water-willow most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Kentucky, Maryland.