Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,649 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Black Cohosh: observations by month (U.S.)
About Black Cohosh
Actaea racemosa (black cohosh, black bugbane, black snakeroot, fairy candle; syn. Cimicifuga racemosa) is a species of flowering plant of the family Ranunculaceae. It is native to eastern North America from the extreme south of Ontario to central Georgia, and west to Missouri and Arkansas. It grows in a variety of woodland habitats, and is often found in small woodland openings. The roots and rhizomes have long been used medicinally by Native Americans. Extracts from these...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Black Cohosh by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 482 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 220 | July | Jun–Jul |
| North Carolina | 188 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Ohio | 141 | July | Jul–Jul |
| New York | 104 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Tennessee | 82 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Maryland | 75 | July | Jun–Jul |
| West Virginia | 47 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Kentucky | 46 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New Jersey | 42 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Georgia | 41 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Massachusetts | 27 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Connecticut | 24 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Illinois | 24 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Minnesota | 13 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Missouri | 13 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Vermont | 12 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Arkansas | 10 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Delaware | 10 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Michigan | 10 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Indiana | 9 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 8 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Alabama | 6 | June | Jun–Jun |
| South Carolina | 6 | June | Jun–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (buttercup family)
Lesser Celandine
Red Columbine
Western Columbine
Rue Anemone
Marsh Marigold
Wood Anemone
Blue Columbine
Tenpetal Anemone
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 Black Cohosh?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Black Cohosh most often seen?
The most observations come from Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina.