Narrowleaf Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum) is in the borage family family (Boraginaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,468 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Narrowleaf Puccoon: observations by month (U.S.)
About Narrowleaf Puccoon
Lithospermum incisum is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by several common names, including narrowleaf stoneseed, fringed gromwell, narrowleaf puccoon, and plains stoneseed. It is native to much of central Canada and the United States, where it is known from many types of habitat. It is a hairy perennial herb growing from a taproot and woody caudex. It produces a cluster of stems up to about 30 centimeters long. The stems are...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Narrowleaf Puccoon by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 549 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Minnesota | 410 | May | May–May |
| Colorado | 114 | May | May–May |
| Utah | 71 | April | Mar–May |
| New Mexico | 62 | April | Apr–May |
| Wisconsin | 56 | May | May–May |
| Nebraska | 39 | May | Apr–May |
| North Dakota | 31 | May | May–May |
| Illinois | 30 | May | May–May |
| Oklahoma | 19 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Kansas | 18 | April | Apr–May |
| Wyoming | 17 | May | May–Jun |
| Arizona | 12 | May | Mar–May |
| Iowa | 12 | May | Apr–May |
| South Dakota | 11 | May | May–Jun |
| Montana | 10 | May | May–Jun |
| Missouri | 5 | April | Apr–Apr |
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 Narrowleaf Puccoon?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Narrowleaf Puccoon most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Minnesota, Colorado.