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California Patch butterfly

Chlosyne californica

Orange and black checkered butterfly with bold black patches. Bay Area native whose caterpillars feed on native thistles; important wildflower pollinator.

Plants that support California Patch butterfly

4 plants

Apache-beads

Anemopsis californica

moderate

perennial herb

Early season larval host in California wetlands

Bay Area native

Birch-leaf Mountain-mahogany

Cercocarpus betuloides var. betuloides

moderate

tree

Host plant for caterpillars; adults present spring through fall

Bay Area native

Golden yarrow

Eriophyllum confertiflorum

high

shrub

Primary larval host plant

Bay Area native

Whispering-bells

Emmenanthe penduliflora var. penduliflora

high

annual

caterpillar host plant during spring growing season

Bay Area native