Desert Chicory (Rafinesquia neomexicana) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,625 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 Desert Chicory: observations by month (U.S.)
About Desert Chicory
Rafinesquia neomexicana is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family (Commonly called the Sunflower Family or Daisy Family). Common names include desert chicory, plumeseed, or New Mexico plumeseed. It has white showy flowers, milky sap, and weak, zigzag stems, that may grow up through other shrubs for support. It is an annual plant (completes its life cycle in a single season) found in dry climate areas of the southwestern deserts of the US and...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Desert Chicory by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,786 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Arizona | 608 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Nevada | 181 | April | Mar–Apr |
| New Mexico | 31 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Utah | 19 | April | Mar–Apr |
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 Desert Chicory?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from March to April.
Where is Desert Chicory most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.