Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata) is in the caltrops family (Zygophyllaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,177 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from January to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Creosote Bush: observations by month (U.S.)
About Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata is known as creosote bush and greasewood as a plant, chaparral as a medicinal herb, and as gobernadora in Mexico, Spanish for "governess", due to its ability to secure more water by inhibiting the growth of nearby plants. In Sonora, it is more commonly called hediondilla....From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Creosote Bush by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,875 | March | Jan–Apr |
| Arizona | 638 | April | Jan–Apr |
| Nevada | 388 | April | Mar–May |
| Texas | 143 | April | Mar–Apr |
| New Mexico | 79 | May | Mar–May |
| Utah | 54 | April | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (caltrops)
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 Creosote Bush?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from January to May.
Where is Creosote Bush most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.