Winecup Clarkia (Clarkia purpurea) is in the evening primrose family family (Onagraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,821 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Winecup Clarkia: observations by month (U.S.)
About Winecup Clarkia
Clarkia purpurea is a species of wildflower known by the common names winecup clarkia, winecup fairyfan, and purple clarkia.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Winecup Clarkia by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,523 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Oregon | 268 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Washington | 30 | June | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (evening primrose family)
Fireweed
California fuchsia
Pinkladies
Browneyes
Ruby Chalice Clarkia
California primrose
Broadleaf Enchanter's Nightshade
Elegant Clarkia
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 Winecup Clarkia?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is Winecup Clarkia most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.