Swamp Candles (Lysimachia terrestris) is in the primrose family family (Primulaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,275 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Swamp Candles: observations by month (U.S.)
About Swamp Candles
Lysimachia terrestris (swamp candles, lake loosestrife or earth loosestrife) is a plant in the family Primulaceae.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Swamp Candles by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 315 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Maine | 207 | July | Jul–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 179 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Massachusetts | 142 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New York | 120 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 45 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Minnesota | 44 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Michigan | 39 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Ohio | 32 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey | 30 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Connecticut | 23 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Maryland | 14 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 13 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Illinois | 11 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 8 | June | Jun–Jul |
| North Carolina | 7 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Indiana | 5 | June | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (primrose family)
Northern Starflower
Scarlet Pimpernel
Henderson's shooting star
Fringed Loosestrife
Western Starflower
Whorled Loosestrife
Eastern Shooting Star
Padre's Shooting Star
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 Swamp Candles?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Swamp Candles most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire.