Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) is in the Pussypaw Family family (Montiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,011 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Bitterroot: observations by month (U.S.)
About Bitterroot
Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) is a small perennial herb in the Montiaceae family.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Bitterroot by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 310 | May | May–Jun |
| California | 228 | April | Apr–May |
| Oregon | 201 | May | May–Jun |
| Montana | 134 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wyoming | 71 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Idaho | 34 | June | May–Jun |
| Nevada | 31 | May | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Pussypaw 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 Bitterroot?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is Bitterroot most often seen?
The most observations come from Washington, California, Oregon.