Northern Starflower (Lysimachia borealis) is in the primrose family family (Primulaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 9,055 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 Northern Starflower: observations by month (U.S.)
About Northern Starflower
Lysimachia borealis (synonym Trientalis borealis), the starflower, is a North American woodland perennial that blooms between May and June.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Northern Starflower by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1,910 | May | May–May |
| New Hampshire | 1,156 | May | May–May |
| Maine | 1,097 | May | May–Jun |
| Vermont | 983 | May | May–Jun |
| New York | 884 | May | May–May |
| Michigan | 771 | May | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 633 | May | May–Jun |
| Minnesota | 479 | June | May–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 400 | May | May–May |
| Connecticut | 317 | May | May–May |
| New Jersey | 173 | May | May–May |
| Rhode Island | 113 | May | May–May |
| Illinois | 29 | May | May–May |
| Maryland | 26 | May | May–Jun |
| West Virginia | 25 | May | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 23 | May | May–May |
| Indiana | 20 | May | May–May |
| Virginia | 16 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (primrose family)
Scarlet Pimpernel
Henderson's shooting star
Fringed Loosestrife
Western Starflower
Whorled Loosestrife
Eastern Shooting Star
Swamp Candles
Padre's Shooting Star
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 Northern Starflower?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to May.
Where is Northern Starflower most often seen?
The most observations come from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine.