Desert Dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,406 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from February to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Desert Dandelion: observations by month (U.S.)
About Desert Dandelion
Malacothrix glabrata (smooth desert dandelion or desert dandelion) is an annual plant in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is common to the southwestern deserts of North America and has showy pale-yellow to white flowers. The name "glabrata" refers to the leaves being (nearly) hairless. Like other members of its genus, it has a milky sap and flower heads composed of smaller strap-like flowers called "ligules".From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Desert Dandelion by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,261 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Nevada | 110 | April | Mar–May |
| Arizona | 27 | 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 Dandelion?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to April.
Where is Desert Dandelion most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Nevada, Arizona.