Fringe Cups (Tellima grandiflora) is in the saxifrage family family (Saxifragaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,157 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Fringe Cups: observations by month (U.S.)
About Fringe Cups
Tellima grandiflora, the bigflower tellima or fringecups, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the family Saxifragaceae. It is the only species in the genus Tellima. It has rounded leaves that emerge from a rootstock, and reach heights of 30 cm. It is evergreen in mild winters. Flowers are borne in spring and early summer, on spikes up to 60 cm high. The green calyx is 6–8 mm long; the five flower petals are greenish-white to purple, pinnately divided and...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Fringe Cups by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1,150 | May | Apr–May |
| Oregon | 742 | May | Apr–May |
| California | 242 | May | Apr–May |
| Alaska | 19 | June | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (saxifrage family)
Threeleaf Foamflower
Creeping Foamflower
Virginia saxifrage
Twoleaf Miterwort
Hillside Woodland Star
California Saxifrage
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 Fringe Cups?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Fringe Cups most often seen?
The most observations come from Washington, Oregon, California.