Notch-leaf Scorpionweed (Phacelia crenulata) is in the borage family family (Boraginaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,493 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from February to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Notch-leaf Scorpionweed: observations by month (U.S.)
About Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Phacelia crenulata is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, Boraginaceae. Its common names include notch-leaf scorpion-weed, notch-leaved phacelia, cleftleaf wildheliotrope, and heliotrope phacelia. It is native to the southwestern United States as far east as Colorado and New Mexico, and Baja California and Sonora in Mexico.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,026 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Arizona | 793 | March | Feb–Mar |
| Nevada | 472 | March | Mar–May |
| Utah | 110 | May | Apr–May |
| New Mexico | 63 | April | Apr–May |
| Colorado | 29 | May | Apr–May |
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
Miami Mist
Alkali Heliotrope
Menzies' baby blue eyes
Wild Canterbury Bells
Desert Bluebells
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 Notch-leaf Scorpionweed?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to April.
Where is Notch-leaf Scorpionweed most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.