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HABITAT INFORMATION
Native Plants can be likened to theatrical settings. In its native home each plant species is the backdrop and producer of an age-old drama -- one with a well-rehearsed cast of actors, mostly insects. When an exotic plant or even a native but not locally indigenous species is moved to a new land or locale, the cast of actors is left behind, and there is no plot, no play, for an interested audience to witness and enjoy.
-Edward S. Ross
from Butterfly Gardening, The Xerces Society and The Smithsonian
The typical suburban habitat garden is a biological island, surrounded by poor habitat, cut off by buildings and highway barriers. For a garden's species diversity, the suburban gardener is usually dependent upon animals that can fly in. For this reason in part, butterflies play an important and conspicuous role in habitat gardening.
Butterflies are often very specific regarding the family or even the species of plant upon which they will lay their eggs, so larval host plant lists frequently include many native plants. Otherwise obscure local natives like Aristolochia californica, California Pipevine, or Asclepias fascicularis, the narrowleaf milkweed, are prominently listed.
Butterflies are usually less specific upon what they nectar on and nectar lists often have few if any locally native plants listed. Non-native plants regularly form the bulk of the nectar resource suggestions, as they are easily available and often showier to their human sponsor. But the habitat garden is potentially richer and more complex if the native nectar plants are also included.
As it happens, many native plants that are larval host plants are also excellent nectar sources for a wide variety of butterfly species.
NATIVE NECTAR PLANTS
These are some native plants that can, at least occasionally, be found in native plant nurseries. The list is a composite from several sources and I can’t say I’ve observed butterflies nectaring on all of them. Please take it as a starting point.
Anacardiaceae
Rhus trilobata (squawbush)
Apocynaceae
Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane)
Apocynum cannabinum (Indian hemp) We grew a large patch of this species in the landscape at California Flora Nursery. I can’t say I noticed it attracting butterflies but it did attract some amazing metallic blue-purple beetles.
Asclepiadaceae
Asclepias fasicularis (narrowleaf milkweed)
Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed)
Locally the narrowleaf milkweed is the preferred native species for the Monarch larva but the aptly named showy milkweed really draws in Monarchs and other butterfly species for it’s nectar.
Asteraceae, also Compositae
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow)
Aster chilensis (western common aster) This species can be a real thug in the garden so plant it where its aggressive spreading will not cause problems.
Baccharis pilularis (coyotebush) Wonderful nectar source for all sorts of beneficial insects.
Circium spp. (native thistles) Often difficult to find and sometimes difficult to grow.
Erigeron glaucus (seaside daisy)
Grindelia spp. (gumplants)
Heterotheca villosa (hairy golden-aster)
Solidago californica (goldenrod) Provides nectar in late summer and fall when relatively few plants are in bloom. This species can also be a problem with its vigorous spreading tendency. A good plant for a tough spot on the margins of the garden.
Caprifoliaceae
Lonicera hispidula (honeysuckle)
Lonicera involucrata (twinberry)
Sambucus mexicana (blue elderberry)
Sambucus racemosa (red elderberry) Found only in coastal locations in the wild.
Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus (snowberry)
Ericaceae
Ledum glandulosum (western Labrador tea)
Vaccinium ovatum (California huckleberry)
Fabaceae, also Leguminosae
Amorpha californica var. napensis (false indigo)
Cercis occidentalis (redbud)
Hippocastanaceae
Aesculus californica (California buckeye) Lots of nectar over a long period in spring. Important for native bees as well.
Lamiaceae, also Labiatae
Monardella villosa (coyote mint) I have watched the Pipevine Swallowtail nectar on this species in the wild.
Prunella vulgaris (selfheal)
Salvia species (native sages)
Liliaceae
Allium spp (native onions)
Dichelostemma congestum (ookow)
Dichelostemma pulchellum (blue-dicks)
Ookow, shown here with the Pale Swallowtail, Papillo eurymedon nectaring on it. I have also watched Skippers and Pipevine Swallowtails use it.
Plumbaginaceae
Limonium californicum (sea-lavander)
Polygonaceae
Eriogonum fasiculatum (California buckwheat)
Eriogonum latifolium (broad-leaved buckwheat)
Eriogonum umbellatum (sulphur-flowered buckwheat)
Eriogonum spp. (most buckwheats)
Rhamnaceae
Ceanothus cuneatus (buckbrush)
Ceanothus integerrimus (deerbrush)
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus (blueblossum, wild lilac)
Rosaceae
Fragaria vesca ssp. californica (woodland strawberry)
Fragaria chiloensis (beach strawberry)
Physocarpus capitatus (ninebark)
Rubus spp. (blackberries, raspberries, etc.)
Saxifragaceae
Philadelphus lewisii var. californica (Western Mock Orange)
Styracaceae
Styrax redivivus (snowdrop bush) The Pipevine Swallowtail and the Tiger Swallowtail utilize this species at California Flora Nursery.
LARVAL FOOD SOURCES
SWALLOWTAILS
Battus philenor (pipevine swallowtail)
Aristolochia californica (California Dutchman’s-pipe vine)
Papilio eurymedon (pale swallowtail)
Prunus spp. (Cherries and plums), Crataegus douglasii (hawthorn), Holodiscus discolor (ocean spray, creambush), Ceanothus species (wild lilacs), Rhamnus californica (coffeeberry), Alnus oregana (red alder), Prunus ilicifolia (hollyleaf cherry) and Prunus lyonii (Catalina cherry), as well as other Prunus spp.
Papilio rutulus (western tiger swallowtail)
Prunus spp. (wild plums and cherries), Amelanchier alnifolia (service-berry),
Crataegus douglasii (hawthorn) also Populus species, Salix species, Alnus species, and Platanus racemosa (western sycamore)
Papilio zelicaon (anise swallowtail)
Native umbelliferous plants (APIACEAE also UMBELLIFERAE) especially Perideridea species (yampa or Indian potato).
Also many non-native umbelliferous plants, including Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) dill, carrot, and parsley. Beware of fennel’s invasive tendency, don’t plant near streams or wildlands!
GOSSAMER WINGS
Strymon melinus (gray hairstreak)
mallow & legume families
BRUSHFOOTS
Danaus plexippus (monarch)
Asclepias species especially Asclepias fascicularis (narrow-leaf milkweed)
Euphydryas chalcedona (variable checkerspot)
Mimulus aurantiacus (sticky monkeyflower)
Scrophularia californica (California Bee Plant)
Junonia coenia (common buckeye)
Mimulus guttatus (common monkeyflower), Antirrhinum species (snapdragon), and Plantago species (plantains) all are represented in our Sonoma County native flora.
Nymphalis antiopa (mourning cloak)
Salix species (willows), Populus species (aspen & cottonwoods)
Vanessa annabella (West Coast lady)
Mallow family such as Sidalcea malviflora or Spheralcea ambigua, occasionally Urtica species (nettles)
Vanessa atalanta (red admiral)
Urtica species (nettles)
Vanessa cardui (painted lady)
A wide variety of plants in many families, primarily composites, legumes, borages, and nettles
Vanessa virginiensis (American lady)
Gnaphalium species, Antennaria species and Anaphalis margaritacea (everlastings)
SKIPPERS
Many utilize bunch grasses
SOURCES
Butterfly Gardening: Creating Summer Magic in Your Garden
The Xerces Society and The Smithsonian Institution
The Habitat Garden Book
By Nancy Bauer
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