Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria) is in the figwort family family (Scrophulariaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,074 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Moth Mullein: observations by month (U.S.)
About Moth Mullein
Verbascum blattaria, or moth mullein, is a flowering biennial weed belonging to the Scrophulariaceae (figwort) family. An invasive species native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has naturalized in the United States and most of Canada since its introduction. It has been declared a noxious weed by the state of Colorado.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Moth Mullein by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 352 | June | Jun–Nov |
| Pennsylvania | 232 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Oregon | 203 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Ohio | 188 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Kentucky | 170 | May | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 116 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Virginia | 84 | June | May–Jul |
| New Jersey | 74 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Indiana | 67 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 55 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Illinois | 52 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 50 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Michigan | 50 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Washington | 41 | June | May–Sep |
| Arkansas | 39 | May | May–Jun |
| Missouri | 34 | May | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 34 | May | May–Jul |
| California | 28 | September | Sep–Nov |
| Kansas | 22 | June | May–Jul |
| Mississippi | 18 | May | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 17 | June | May–Jul |
| Delaware | 15 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Idaho | 15 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Vermont | 15 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Minnesota | 14 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Alabama | 12 | May | May–Jun |
| Connecticut | 12 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Montana | 10 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Georgia | 9 | May | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 9 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Colorado | 8 | July | Jul–Oct |
| Iowa | 6 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Oklahoma | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (figwort family)
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 Moth Mullein?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Moth Mullein most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon.