Desert Trumpet (Eriogonum inflatum) is in the knotweed family family (Polygonaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,776 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from September to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Desert Trumpet: observations by month (U.S.)
About Desert Trumpet
Eriogonum inflatum, the desert trumpet, is a perennial plant of the family Polygonaceae. The plant possesses very small yellow or pink flowers and an inflated stem just below branching segments. Eriogonum: from the Greek erion, "wool", and gonu, "joint or knee", in reference to the hairy or woolly joints of some of the species of the genus, but not particularly inflatum. It is found in the Mojave Desert and other deserts.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Desert Trumpet by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,362 | March | Nov–May |
| Nevada | 260 | May | Mar–Jun |
| Utah | 80 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Arizona | 73 | May | Mar–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (knotweed family)
California Buckwheat
Low Smartweed
Sulfur Buckwheat
American jumpseed
Naked Buckwheat
Japanese knotweed
American bistort
Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb
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 Trumpet?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from September to June.
Where is Desert Trumpet most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Nevada, Utah.