Warrior's Plume (Pedicularis densiflora) is in the broomrape family family (Orobanchaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,025 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from February to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): G4.
When to photograph Warrior's Plume: observations by month (U.S.)
About Warrior's Plume
Pedicularis densiflora, known commonly as Indian warrior or warrior's plume, is a plant of the lousewort genus in the broomrape family.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Warrior's Plume by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,968 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Oregon | 57 | March | Feb–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (broomrape family)
Canadian lousewort
Purple Owl's-Clover
Mediterranean lineseed
American cancer-root
Felt Paintbrush
Texas Paintbrush
One-Flowered Cancer-Root
Narrowleaf Cow Wheat
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 Warrior's Plume?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to April.
Where is Warrior's Plume most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon.