Spurge Nettle (Cnidoscolus stimulosus) is in the Spurge Family family (Euphorbiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,731 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Spurge Nettle: observations by month (U.S.)
About Spurge Nettle
Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus, the bull nettle, spurge nettle, tread-softly or finger rot, is a perennial herb covered with stinging hairs, native to southeastern North America. A member of the family Euphorbiaceae (spurge family), it is not a true nettle. It prefers sandy, well-drained soil and mostly exists in pine/blackjack oak forests on sandhills, rims of Carolina bays, dunes, dry pastures, fields and roadsides.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Spurge Nettle by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1,091 | April | Mar–Jun |
| Mississippi | 171 | April | Apr–Jul |
| South Carolina | 157 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Georgia | 138 | April | Apr–Aug |
| Alabama | 98 | May | Apr–Jun |
| North Carolina | 68 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Virginia | 7 | June | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Spurge Family)
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 Spurge Nettle?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to July.
Where is Spurge Nettle most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina.