Brown Elfin
Callophrys augustinus
Tiny brown elfin butterfly with red-spotted hindwing base and hooked wing tip. Early spring emerger; caterpillars feed on native currants and gooseberries. First butterfly signals Bay Area seasonal change.
Plants that support Brown Elfin
19 plants
Buckbrush
Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus
shrub
Larval Host
California Hoptree
Ptelea crenulata
shrub
Larval Host
Chamise
Adenostoma fasciculatum
shrub
Larval Host
Exserted Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta
annual
Nectar
Green Supreme Manzanita
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 'Green Supreme'
perennial herb
Larval Host
Interior Goldenbush
Ericameria linearifolia
shrub
Larval Host
Red Willow
Salix laevigata
shrub
Larval Host
Soap Plant
Chlorogalum pomeridianum
geophyte
Larval Host
Western Redbud
Cercis occidentalis
tree
Larval Host
American Cow-parsnip
Heracleum maximum
perennial herb
Nectar
Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis
shrub
Larval Host
California Coffeeberry
Frangula californica
shrub
Larval Host
California Phacelia
Phacelia californica
perennial herb
Nectar
California Yampah
Perideridia californica
perennial herb
Larval Host
California goldfields
Lasthenia californica
annual
Nectar
Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum var. achilleoides
perennial herb
Larval Host
Distant Phacelia
Phacelia distans
annual
Nectar
Pacific Pea
Lathyrus vestitus var. vestitus
vine
Larval Host
White bark California lilac
Ceanothus leucodermis
shrub
Larval Host