Field Penny-Cress (Thlaspi arvense) is in the mustard family family (Brassicaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,129 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Field Penny-Cress: observations by month (U.S.)
About Field Penny-Cress
Thlaspi arvense, known by the common name field pennycress, is a flowering plant in the cabbage family Brassicaceae.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Field Penny-Cress by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 168 | April | Mar–May |
| Minnesota | 96 | May | Apr–May |
| Colorado | 83 | May | Apr–Jun |
| New York | 81 | May | Apr–May |
| Wisconsin | 66 | May | May–May |
| New Jersey | 62 | April | Apr–May |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | April | Mar–May |
| Ohio | 54 | April | Apr–May |
| Missouri | 45 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Indiana | 39 | April | Mar–May |
| Massachusetts | 39 | May | Apr–May |
| Idaho | 28 | June | May–Jun |
| Kansas | 26 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Michigan | 25 | April | Apr–May |
| Vermont | 24 | May | May–May |
| Wyoming | 22 | June | May–Jun |
| Kentucky | 21 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Iowa | 18 | May | Apr–May |
| Montana | 18 | May | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 14 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Virginia | 14 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Washington | 14 | May | Apr–May |
| Nebraska | 13 | April | Mar–Jun |
| North Dakota | 13 | May | May–May |
| Connecticut | 12 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Maryland | 12 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Utah | 10 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Tennessee | 7 | March | Mar–Mar |
| West Virginia | 7 | March | Mar–Apr |
| New Hampshire | 6 | May | Apr–May |
| Texas | 6 | February | Feb–Feb |
| South Dakota | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (mustard family)
Garlic Mustard
Dame's Rocket
Annual Honesty
Cut-Leaved Toothwort
Milkmaids
Hairy Bittercress
Shepherd's-Purse
Western Wallflower
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 Field Penny-Cress?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Field Penny-Cress most often seen?
The most observations come from Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado.