Edith's checkerspot butterfly
Euphydryas editha
CA: Endangered
Some subspecies federally protected; species has state endangered designation
Plants that support Edith's checkerspot butterfly
18 plants
California goldfields
Lasthenia californica
annual
Critical larval food plant for caterpillars in early spring; host plant dependency varies by subspecies and population
Chinese Houses
Collinsia heterophylla
annual
Important larval host; caterpillars feed April-May
Coast Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja affinis subsp. affinis + Diplacus aurantiacus
shrub
Larval host plant; multiple broods utilize plant March-July
Cobwebby Thistle
Cirsium occidentale var. venustum
annual
Caterpillars feed on Cirsium species as larval host in early season
Common Muilla
Muilla maritima
geophyte
Caterpillars feed on emerging foliage in early spring after winter dormancy
Dense-flower Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja densiflora subsp. Densiflora
annual
Larval food plant for early spring broods
Dotseed Plantain
Plantago erecta
annual
Critical spring host plant; caterpillars develop on young Plantago erecta foliage
Exserted Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta
annual
primary host plant for larval development
False Babystars
Leptosiphon androsaceus
annual
critical larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Imbricate Phacelia
Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata
perennial herb
Key host plant for larval development in California populations
Indian Warrior
Pedicularis densiflora
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring months
Interior Goldenbush
Ericameria linearifolia
shrub
Host plant for caterpillar development; spring phenology
Popcorn-flower
Plagiobothrys nothofulvus
annual
Early spring larval host plant for caterpillars
Purple Black-snakeroot
Sanicula bipinnatifida
perennial herb
Larval host plant for caterpillars in early spring
Sticky Chinese Houses
Collinsia tinctoria
annual
Caterpillars feed on foliage in spring before pupation; critical early season host plant
Texas Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja foliolosa
perennial herb
Early spring larval development on tender new foliage
Woodland Sunflower*
Layia gaillardioides
annual
Larvae feed on young foliage in spring, critical early-season resource
Yerba Santa
Eriodictyon californicum
shrub
Obligate host plant; regional populations depend on plant availability