Desert Lavender (Condea emoryi) is in the Mint Family family (Lamiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,638 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from December to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Desert Lavender: observations by month (U.S.)
About Desert Lavender
Condea emoryi (synonym Hyptis emoryi), the desert lavender, is a large, multi-stemmed shrub species of flowering plant in Lamiaceae, the mint family.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Desert Lavender by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,401 | March | Dec–Mar |
| Arizona | 227 | March | Dec–Apr |
| Nevada | 10 | April | Apr–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mint Family)
Red Deadnettle
Common Selfheal
Ground-Ivy
Henbit Deadnettle
Wild Bergamot
Lyreleaf Sage
Chia
American germander
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 Lavender?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from December to April.
Where is Desert Lavender most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.