Saltmarsh mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) is in the Mallow and Hibiscus Family family (Malvaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,096 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Nationally it blooms mainly from July to September, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Saltmarsh mallow: observations by month (U.S.)
About Saltmarsh mallow
Kosteletzkya pentacarpos, the seashore mallow, also known as the saltmarsh mallow, sweat weed, Virginia saltmarsh mallow, or hibiscus à cinq carpelles, is an herb found in marshes along the eastern seashore of North America, parts of coastal Southern Europe, southwestern Russia, and Western Asia.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Saltmarsh mallow by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 436 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Florida | 236 | July | May–Oct |
| Alabama | 98 | July | May–Jul |
| Maryland | 65 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Mississippi | 64 | May | May–Sep |
| New Jersey | 53 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Louisiana | 36 | October | May–Oct |
| South Carolina | 32 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Virginia | 27 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Delaware | 20 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Texas | 20 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Georgia | 9 | August | Aug–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mallow and Hibiscus Family)
Checkerbloom
Swamp Rose Mallow
Turk's cap
Apricot Globemallow
Cretan mallow
Southern Coastal Bushmallow
Common Hibiscus
Cheeseweed Mallow
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 Saltmarsh mallow?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from July to September.
Where is Saltmarsh mallow most often seen?
The most observations come from North Carolina, Florida, Alabama.