Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) is in the borage family family (Boraginaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,646 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Hoary Puccoon: observations by month (U.S.)
About Hoary Puccoon
Lithospermum canescens is a species of flowering plant known by the common name hoary puccoon. It is endemic to eastern North America. The plant has golden yellow flowers which bloom from April to May.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Hoary Puccoon by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 369 | May | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 356 | May | May–Jun |
| Illinois | 239 | May | Apr–May |
| Missouri | 143 | April | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 73 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Arkansas | 58 | April | Mar–May |
| Alabama | 54 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Ohio | 53 | April | Apr–May |
| Kentucky | 51 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Iowa | 48 | May | May–Jun |
| Indiana | 29 | May | Apr–May |
| North Dakota | 24 | May | May–Jun |
| Kansas | 21 | May | May–May |
| South Dakota | 21 | May | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 17 | May | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 16 | May | Apr–May |
| Mississippi | 15 | April | Mar–May |
| North Carolina | 15 | April | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 15 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Georgia | 10 | April | Mar–May |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | May | May–May |
| Nebraska | 7 | May | May–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 Hoary Puccoon?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is Hoary Puccoon most often seen?
The most observations come from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois.