Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is in the Mint Family family (Lamiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 957 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from July to September, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Pennyroyal: observations by month (U.S.)
About Pennyroyal
Mentha pulegium, commonly (European) pennyroyal, or pennyrile, also called squaw mint, mosquito plant and pudding grass, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Crushed pennyroyal leaves emit a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Pennyroyal is a traditional folk remedy, emmenagogue, abortifacient, and culinary herb, but is toxic to the liver and has caused some deaths. European pennyroyal is related to an AmericanFrom Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Pennyroyal by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 710 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Oregon | 223 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Washington | 24 | July | Jul–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mint Family)
Red Deadnettle
Common Selfheal
Ground-Ivy
Henbit Deadnettle
Wild Bergamot
Lyreleaf Sage
Chia
American germander
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 Pennyroyal?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from July to September.
Where is Pennyroyal most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.