Rock Harlequin (Capnoides sempervirens) is in the Poppy Family family (Papaveraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,313 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Rock Harlequin: observations by month (U.S.)
About Rock Harlequin
Capnoides sempervirens, the harlequin corydalis, rock harlequin, pale corydalis or pink corydalis, is an annual or biennial plant native to rocky woodland and burned or disturbed places in northern North America. Capnoides sempervirens is the only species in the genus Capnoides.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Rock Harlequin by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 201 | May | May–Jun |
| New York | 178 | May | May–Jul |
| Maine | 150 | June | May–Jul |
| Vermont | 114 | May | May–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 105 | June | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 97 | May | Apr–Sep |
| Minnesota | 86 | June | May–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 70 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Wisconsin | 68 | May | May–Jul |
| New Jersey | 67 | May | May–Jun |
| Connecticut | 45 | May | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 35 | June | May–Aug |
| Alaska | 28 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Virginia | 17 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Kentucky | 14 | April | Apr–May |
| Maryland | 9 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Tennessee | 9 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Montana | 5 | June | Jun–Aug |
| West Virginia | 5 | April | Apr–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Poppy Family)
Bloodroot
Dutchman's breeches
California poppy
Squirrel Corn
Pacific Bleeding Heart
Greater celandine
Celandine Poppy
Creamcups
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 Rock Harlequin?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to July.
Where is Rock Harlequin most often seen?
The most observations come from Massachusetts, New York, Maine.