Chinchweed (Pectis papposa) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,537 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in October.
Nationally it blooms mainly from September to November, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Chinchweed: observations by month (U.S.)
About Chinchweed
Pectis papposa is species of flowering plant in the aster family, Asteraceae. It is native to North America, where it occurs in the southwestern United States as far east as Texas, and in northern Mexico. Common names include cinchweed, common chinchweed, many-bristle chinchweed, and many-bristle fetid-marigold.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Chinchweed by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,133 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Arizona | 243 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Nevada | 142 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Utah | 11 | October | Sep–Nov |
| New Mexico | 8 | September | Aug–Sep |
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 Chinchweed?
Nationally, October has the most observations, with the main season from September to November.
Where is Chinchweed most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.