California yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) is in the borage family family (Boraginaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,567 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 California yerba santa: observations by month (U.S.)
About California yerba santa
Eriodictyon californicum is a species of plant within the Boraginaceae family. It is also known as yerba santa, mountain balm, consumptive's weed and bear weed.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
California yerba santa by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,567 | May | Apr–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (borage family)
Virginia bluebells
Distant Phacelia
Pacific hound's tongue
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Miami Mist
Alkali Heliotrope
Menzies' baby blue eyes
Wild Canterbury Bells
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 California yerba santa?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is California yerba santa most often seen?
The most observations come from California.