Golden Suncup (Chylismia brevipes) is in the evening primrose family family (Onagraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,368 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from January to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Golden Suncup: observations by month (U.S.)
About Golden Suncup
Chylismia brevipes is a species of wildflower native to the American desert southwest known by the common names yellow cups, Mojave suncup, and golden suncup. This is a hairy annual with tall stems often reaching over half a meter in height and surrounded by basal leaves which may be simple or composed of several leaflets. It produces an inflorescence which has one to several blooms in it. The flowers are bright yellow, often with reddish speckling...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Golden Suncup by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,105 | March | Jan–Apr |
| Nevada | 202 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Arizona | 60 | March | Jan–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (evening primrose family)
Fireweed
California fuchsia
Pinkladies
Browneyes
Ruby Chalice Clarkia
Winecup Clarkia
California primrose
Broadleaf Enchanter's Nightshade
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 Golden Suncup?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from January to April.
Where is Golden Suncup most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Nevada, Arizona.