Common Whitlowgrass

Common Whitlowgrass (Draba verna) is in the mustard family family (Brassicaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,506 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.

Nationally it blooms mainly from March to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Common Whitlowgrass: observations by month (U.S.)

About Common Whitlowgrass

Draba verna (syn. Erophila verna) may also go by the names spring draba, shadflower, nailwort, common whitlowgrass, vernal whitlow grass, early witlow grass or whitlow-grass. It is a small plant found in sagebrush country in the inland western United States, North Africa, temperate Asia, and most of Europe, including Britain. It was once thought to have been introduced to America from Europe, but is now considered native to both continents. It grows in very early spring....From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Common Whitlowgrass by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (mustard family)

Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata

Dame's RocketHesperis matronalis

Annual HonestyLunaria annua

Cut-Leaved ToothwortCardamine concatenata

MilkmaidsCardamine californica

Hairy BittercressCardamine hirsuta

Shepherd's-PurseCapsella bursa-pastoris

Western WallflowerErysimum capitatum

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