Purple Crownvetch (Securigera varia) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,994 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 Purple Crownvetch: observations by month (U.S.)
About Purple Crownvetch
Securigera varia (synonym Coronilla varia), commonly known as crownvetch or purple crown vetch, is a low-growing legume vine. It is native to Africa, Asia and Europe and is commonly used throughout the United States and Canada for erosion control, roadside planting and soil rehabilitation. It has become an invasive species in many states of the US.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Purple Crownvetch by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 534 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New York | 521 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Minnesota | 355 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Vermont | 333 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Kentucky | 298 | June | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 295 | June | Jun–Jul |
| North Carolina | 265 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 262 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Illinois | 247 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Maryland | 209 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 203 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Maine | 199 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Michigan | 183 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey | 182 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Virginia | 166 | June | May–Jul |
| West Virginia | 108 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 99 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Indiana | 95 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Connecticut | 70 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Delaware | 57 | June | May–Jul |
| Iowa | 57 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Missouri | 51 | May | May–Jul |
| Tennessee | 37 | June | May–Jul |
| Colorado | 29 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Kansas | 22 | May | May–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 20 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Nebraska | 17 | June | Jun–Jul |
| South Dakota | 15 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Alabama | 14 | May | Apr–Jun |
| North Dakota | 14 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Arkansas | 12 | June | May–Jun |
| District of Columbia | 8 | May | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Legumes)
White Clover
Red Clover
Texas bluebonnet
Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Rose Clover
Tomcat Clover
American hog-peanut
Partridge Pea
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 Purple Crownvetch?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Purple Crownvetch most often seen?
The most observations come from Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota.