Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 985 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Red Baneberry: observations by month (U.S.)
About Red Baneberry
Actaea rubra (red baneberry, chinaberry, doll's eye) is a poisonous herbaceous flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Red Baneberry by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 254 | May | May–May |
| Oregon | 112 | May | May–Jun |
| Minnesota | 91 | May | May–Jun |
| New York | 73 | May | May–May |
| Washington | 70 | May | May–Jun |
| Maine | 64 | May | May–May |
| Michigan | 61 | May | May–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 44 | May | May–May |
| Utah | 36 | June | May–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 30 | May | May–May |
| Colorado | 24 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wyoming | 24 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Montana | 23 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 19 | May | May–May |
| Alaska | 18 | June | May–Jun |
| Connecticut | 13 | May | May–May |
| Idaho | 12 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Illinois | 8 | May | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (buttercup family)
Lesser Celandine
Red Columbine
Western Columbine
Rue Anemone
Marsh Marigold
Wood Anemone
Blue Columbine
Tenpetal Anemone
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 Red Baneberry?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Red Baneberry most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, Oregon, Minnesota.