Tolmie's pussy ears (Calochortus tolmiei) is in the lily family family (Liliaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,476 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Tolmie's pussy ears: observations by month (U.S.)
About Tolmie's pussy ears
Calochortus tolmiei is a North American species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common names Tolmie star-tulip and pussy ears. It was discovered by and named for Dr. William Fraser Tolmie.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Tolmie's pussy ears by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,192 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Oregon | 1,284 | May | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (lily family)
Yellow Trout Lily
Checker Lily
White Globe Lily
Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily
Yellow Mariposa Lily
White Fawnlily
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
Bluebead Lily
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 Tolmie's pussy ears?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Tolmie's pussy ears most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon.