Narrow-Leaved Bittercress (Cardamine impatiens) is in the mustard family family (Brassicaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 981 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Narrow-Leaved Bittercress: observations by month (U.S.)
About Narrow-Leaved Bittercress
Cardamine impatiens, the narrowleaf bittercress or narrow-leaved bitter-cress, is a plant species of the genus Cardamine belonging to the family Brassicaceae. It is a slender, biennial herb, that produces sterile leaves in the first year, one to several flowering stems during the next. Its leaves are pinnate with several pairs of lanceolate, dentate leaflets and a terminal, slightly longer leaflet. The short petals surpass the calyx by half of its length. The seeds are arranged in...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Narrow-Leaved Bittercress by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 321 | May | May–May |
| New York | 144 | May | May–May |
| New Jersey | 102 | May | May–May |
| Connecticut | 94 | May | May–May |
| Michigan | 60 | May | May–May |
| Massachusetts | 50 | May | May–May |
| Vermont | 50 | June | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 40 | May | May–May |
| Minnesota | 27 | May | May–May |
| Ohio | 24 | May | May–May |
| New Hampshire | 20 | May | May–Jun |
| West Virginia | 19 | May | May–May |
| Delaware | 14 | May | May–May |
| Maine | 9 | May | May–Jun |
| Virginia | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (mustard family)
Garlic Mustard
Dame's Rocket
Annual Honesty
Cut-Leaved Toothwort
Milkmaids
Hairy Bittercress
Shepherd's-Purse
Western Wallflower
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 Narrow-Leaved Bittercress?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to May.
Where is Narrow-Leaved Bittercress most often seen?
The most observations come from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey.