Desert Fivespot (Eremalche rotundifolia) is in the Mallow and Hibiscus Family family (Malvaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,410 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 Fivespot: observations by month (U.S.)
About Desert Fivespot
Eremalche rotundifolia, the Desert five-spot, is a flowering plant in the family Malvaceae, native to the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert in the Southwestern United States.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Desert Fivespot by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,363 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Nevada | 32 | April | Mar–May |
| Arizona | 15 | April | Mar–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mallow and Hibiscus Family)
Checkerbloom
Swamp Rose Mallow
Turk's cap
Apricot Globemallow
Cretan mallow
Southern Coastal Bushmallow
Common Hibiscus
Cheeseweed Mallow
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 Fivespot?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to April.
Where is Desert Fivespot most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Nevada, Arizona.