Nipplewort (Lapsana communis) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,484 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 Nipplewort: observations by month (U.S.)
About Nipplewort
Lapsana communis, the common nipplewort, is a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family. It is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. and widely naturalized in other regions including North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Nipplewort by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 400 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 198 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Oregon | 192 | June | May–Jul |
| Washington | 157 | June | Jun–Aug |
| California | 105 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 84 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Connecticut | 49 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Michigan | 48 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Vermont | 46 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey | 43 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Maine | 25 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Ohio | 25 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Virginia | 25 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Illinois | 11 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 11 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 11 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Maryland | 10 | June | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 10 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 8 | July | Jun–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies)
black-eyed Susan
Common Yarrow
White Snakeroot
Chicory
Lawn daisy
Philadelphia fleabane
Pearly Everlasting
Blue Mistflower
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 Nipplewort?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Nipplewort most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon.