Common Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) is in the Herb-Paris, False Hellebores, Trilliums and allies family (Melanthiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,059 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Common Beargrass: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Beargrass
Xerophyllum tenax is a North American species of plants in the corn lily family. It is known by several common names, including bear grass, squaw grass, soap grass, quip-quip, and Indian basket grass.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Beargrass by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 426 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Oregon | 355 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Montana | 172 | June | Jun–Jul |
| California | 50 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Idaho | 47 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Wyoming | 9 | July | Jul–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Herb-Paris, False Hellebores, Trilliums and allies)
Large White Trillium
Pacific trillium
Red Trillium
Painted Trillium
Prairie Trillium
Toadshade
Giant Wakerobin
Little Sweet Betsy
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 Common Beargrass?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Common Beargrass most often seen?
The most observations come from Washington, Oregon, Montana.