Goat's Rue (Tephrosia virginiana) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 931 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Goat's Rue: observations by month (U.S.)
About Goat's Rue
Tephrosia virginiana, also known as goat-rue, goat's rue, catgut, rabbit pea, and Virginia tephrosia, is a perennial dicot in family Fabaceae. This subshrub has alternate compound leaves. Its leaves are imparipinnate, with relatively wide pinnae. All parts of the plant are pubescent giving it a silvery, hoary appearance. The terminal, compact racemes of cream and deep pink flowers bloom May to August. This plant prefers acidic soils, in part to full sun. It grows throughout the...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Goat's Rue by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 200 | May | May–Jun |
| Mississippi | 74 | May | May–Jun |
| Arkansas | 64 | May | May–Jun |
| Florida | 55 | May | Apr–May |
| New Jersey | 51 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Kentucky | 50 | June | May–Jun |
| Alabama | 47 | May | May–May |
| Missouri | 40 | June | May–Jun |
| Georgia | 39 | May | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 37 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Virginia | 33 | May | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 32 | June | Jun–Jul |
| South Carolina | 31 | May | Apr–May |
| Texas | 30 | May | May–May |
| Massachusetts | 27 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New York | 23 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Illinois | 21 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Maryland | 16 | June | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 12 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 11 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 10 | May | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 10 | May | May–Jun |
| Louisiana | 7 | May | Apr–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Legumes)
White Clover
Red Clover
Texas bluebonnet
Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Rose Clover
Tomcat Clover
American hog-peanut
Purple Crownvetch
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 Goat's Rue?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Goat's Rue most often seen?
The most observations come from North Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas.