Butterweed (Packera glabella) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,991 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Butterweed: observations by month (U.S.)
About Butterweed
Packera glabella (formerly Senecio glabellus) is one of several plants with the common name butterweed, this one has also been called cressleaf groundsel and yellowtop. It is native to central and southeastern North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Butterweed by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 843 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Kentucky | 438 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Mississippi | 358 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Ohio | 230 | May | Apr–May |
| Alabama | 220 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Illinois | 175 | May | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 149 | May | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 146 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Georgia | 113 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Florida | 99 | March | Feb–Apr |
| South Carolina | 73 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Arkansas | 47 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Missouri | 46 | May | Apr–May |
| Texas | 32 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Michigan | 5 | June | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies)
black-eyed Susan
Common Yarrow
White Snakeroot
Chicory
Lawn daisy
Philadelphia fleabane
Pearly Everlasting
Blue Mistflower
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 Butterweed?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Butterweed most often seen?
The most observations come from Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi.