Longhorn Steer's-Head (Dicentra uniflora) is in the Poppy Family family (Papaveraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 920 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 Longhorn Steer's-Head: observations by month (U.S.)
About Longhorn Steer's-Head
Dicentra uniflora (longhorn steer's head) is a herbaceous perennial growing from a tuber, native to gravelly soils in mountains of the western United States.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Longhorn Steer's-Head by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 438 | June | May–Jul |
| Utah | 136 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Idaho | 132 | May | Apr–May |
| Washington | 73 | May | May–Jun |
| Oregon | 64 | June | May–Jun |
| Wyoming | 61 | May | May–Jun |
| Montana | 11 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Nevada | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Poppy Family)
Bloodroot
Dutchman's breeches
California poppy
Squirrel Corn
Pacific Bleeding Heart
Greater celandine
Celandine Poppy
Creamcups
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 Longhorn Steer's-Head?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Longhorn Steer's-Head most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Utah, Idaho.