Plants that support Buckeye butterfly
11 plants
Blue-eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium bellum
perennial herb
Spring visitor to early season blooms
California Aster
Symphyotrichum chilense
perennial herb
Fall generation nectar source Sep-Nov
Dotseed Plantain
Plantago erecta
annual
Caterpillars feed on plantain species during spring breeding season
Exserted Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta
annual
alternative host plant for early season caterpillars
Foothill Penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus
perennial herb
Larval host plant; supports multiple generations Apr-Jul in California
Hairy gumplant
Grindelia hirsutula
perennial herb
Confirmed host plant for caterpillar development; multiple generations
Lippia
Phyla nodiflora
perennial herb
Multi-brooded species; larval host plant for multiple generations Apr-Oct
Mulefat
Baccharis salicifolia
shrub
Host plant for caterpillars; multiple generations per season
Seep Monkeyflower
Erythranthe guttata
annual
Opportunistic nectar source; multiple generations utilize flowers Apr-Oct
Suisun Marsh Aster
Symphyotrichum lentum
perennial herb
fall migrants utilize late-blooming aster stands
Vervain
Verbena lasiostachys var. scabrida
perennial herb
Multiple generations utilize as larval host plant; primary food source for caterpillars