Desert Tobacco (Nicotiana obtusifolia) is in the nightshade family family (Solanaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,312 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 Tobacco: observations by month (U.S.)
About Desert Tobacco
Nicotiana obtusifolia, or desert tobacco, is a plant native to the southwestern United States (from California to Utah to Texas) and Mexico.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Desert Tobacco by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,484 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Arizona | 337 | April | Mar–May |
| Nevada | 278 | March | Mar–May |
| Texas | 137 | April | Mar–Jun |
| New Mexico | 43 | October | Aug–Oct |
| Utah | 33 | April | Mar–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (nightshade family)
Carolina horsenettle
Sacred Datura
Bittersweet Nightshade
Silverleaf Nightshade
Purple Groundcherry
Tree Tobacco
Thickleaf Groundcherry
Bluewitch Nightshade
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 Tobacco?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to April.
Where is Desert Tobacco most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.