Common Woolly Sunflower (Eriophyllum lanatum) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,520 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Common Woolly Sunflower: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum, with the common names common woolly sunflower and Oregon sunshine, is a common, widespread, North American plant in the sunflower family.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Woolly Sunflower by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 906 | June | May–Jul |
| California | 343 | May | May–Jul |
| Washington | 246 | June | May–Aug |
| Wyoming | 13 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Idaho | 9 | June | Jun–Jul |
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 Common Woolly Sunflower?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to July.
Where is Common Woolly Sunflower most often seen?
The most observations come from Oregon, California, Washington.