Great Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum appendiculatum) is in the borage family family (Boraginaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,131 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 Great Waterleaf: observations by month (U.S.)
About Great Waterleaf
Hydrophyllum appendiculatum, commonly known as the great waterleaf, is a species of plant in the borage family. It is native to the eastern United States where it is found primarily in the Midwest and Upper South.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Great Waterleaf by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 302 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 263 | April | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 180 | May | May–May |
| Illinois | 126 | May | May–May |
| Missouri | 55 | May | Apr–May |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | May | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 42 | May | May–May |
| Tennessee | 31 | April | Apr–May |
| Wisconsin | 30 | June | May–Jun |
| Minnesota | 19 | June | May–Jun |
| Iowa | 14 | May | May–May |
| Arkansas | 11 | April | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (borage family)
Virginia bluebells
Distant Phacelia
Pacific hound's tongue
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Miami Mist
Alkali Heliotrope
Menzies' baby blue eyes
Wild Canterbury Bells
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 Great Waterleaf?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Great Waterleaf most often seen?
The most observations come from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana.