Cardinal Catchfly (Silene laciniata) is in the pink family family (Caryophyllaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,107 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Cardinal Catchfly: observations by month (U.S.)
About Cardinal Catchfly
Silene laciniata is a perennial herb in the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae), commonly known as fringed Indian pink, cardinal catchfly, Mexican campion, Mexican-pink, and campion.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Cardinal Catchfly by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 959 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Texas | 74 | August | Jul–Nov |
| Arizona | 48 | August | Jul–Sep |
| New Mexico | 26 | August | Jul–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (pink 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 Cardinal Catchfly?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from April to July.
Where is Cardinal Catchfly most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Arizona.