Purple Mat (Nama demissa) is in the borage family family (Boraginaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,620 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 Purple Mat: observations by month (U.S.)
About Purple Mat
Nama demissa is an annual flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae. It is known by the common name purplemat, or purple mat.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Purple Mat by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,524 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Nevada | 72 | April | Mar–May |
| Arizona | 24 | March | Mar–Apr |
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
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Miami Mist
Alkali Heliotrope
Menzies' baby blue eyes
Wild Canterbury Bells
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 Mat?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to April.
Where is Purple Mat most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Nevada, Arizona.