Saharan Mustard (Brassica tournefortii) is in the mustard family family (Brassicaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 953 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in February.
Nationally it blooms mainly from January to March, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Saharan Mustard: observations by month (U.S.)
About Saharan Mustard
Brassica tournefortii is a species of plant known by the common names Asian mustard, pale cabbage, African mustard, and Sahara mustard, and is well known as an invasive species, especially in California.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Saharan Mustard by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 841 | February | Jan–Mar |
| Arizona | 57 | March | Jan–Mar |
| Nevada | 50 | February | Jan–Mar |
| Utah | 5 | February | Jan–Feb |
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 Saharan Mustard?
Nationally, February has the most observations, with the main season from January to March.
Where is Saharan Mustard most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.