Turkey Mullein (Croton setiger) is in the Spurge Family family (Euphorbiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 931 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to October, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Turkey Mullein: observations by month (U.S.)
About Turkey Mullein
Croton setiger is a species of plant known as turkey mullein and dove weed. It is native to most the western United States and northwest Mexico. It has naturalized elsewhere, including parts of Australia. It is sometimes spelled Croton setigerus and was formerly known as Eremocarpus setigerus.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Turkey Mullein by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 904 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Oregon | 16 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Washington | 9 | August | Aug–Sep |
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 Turkey Mullein?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to October.
Where is Turkey Mullein most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.