Purple Rocket (Iodanthus pinnatifidus) is in the mustard family family (Brassicaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 923 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Purple Rocket: observations by month (U.S.)
About Purple Rocket
Iodanthus pinnatifidus, commonly known as purplerocket, is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family. It is monotypic, with no other species in the genus Iodanthus.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Purple Rocket by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 231 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 230 | May | May–May |
| Indiana | 175 | May | May–May |
| Tennessee | 88 | May | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 86 | June | May–Jun |
| Missouri | 77 | May | May–May |
| Alabama | 10 | May | Apr–May |
| Arkansas | 6 | May | May–May |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | May | May–Jun |
| Kansas | 5 | May | May–May |
| Oklahoma | 5 | May | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (mustard family)
Garlic Mustard
Dame's Rocket
Annual Honesty
Cut-Leaved Toothwort
Milkmaids
Hairy Bittercress
Shepherd's-Purse
Western Wallflower
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 Rocket?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to May.
Where is Purple Rocket most often seen?
The most observations come from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana.