Perennial Wooly Bean

Perennial Wooly Bean (Strophostyles umbellata) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 934 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.

Nationally it blooms mainly from August to September, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Perennial Wooly Bean: observations by month (U.S.)

About Perennial Wooly Bean

Strophostyles umbellata, commonly known as the pink fuzzybean or wild bean, is a species of perennial flowering plant in the Fabaceae family. It is native to fields and woods in the southeastern and central United States. It blooms from June to September.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Perennial Wooly Bean by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (Legumes)

White CloverTrifolium repens

Red CloverTrifolium pratense

Texas bluebonnetLupinus texensis

Bird's-Foot TrefoilLotus corniculatus

Rose CloverTrifolium hirtum

Tomcat CloverTrifolium willdenovii

American hog-peanutAmphicarpaea bracteata

Purple CrownvetchSecurigera varia

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