Ghost Flower (Mohavea confertiflora) is in the Plantain Family family (Plantaginaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,107 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from February to March, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Ghost Flower: observations by month (U.S.)
About Ghost Flower
Mohavea confertiflora, the ghost flower, is a plant of the family Plantaginaceae. It is a native of the Southwestern United States, southern California, and three states of northwest Mexico.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Ghost Flower by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,034 | March | Feb–Mar |
| Arizona | 64 | March | Feb–Mar |
| Nevada | 9 | March | Feb–Mar |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Plantain Family)
Bird's-Eye Speedwell
Ribwort Plantain
Common Toadflax
White Turtlehead
Purple Foxglove
Canada toadflax
Foxglove Beardtongue
Thyme-Leaved Speedwell
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 Ghost Flower?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to March.
Where is Ghost Flower most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.