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Plants that support Buckeye butterfly

11 plants

Blue-eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium bellum

moderate

perennial herb

Spring visitor to early season blooms

Bay Area native

California Aster

Symphyotrichum chilense

moderate

perennial herb

Fall generation nectar source Sep-Nov

Bay Area native

Dotseed Plantain

Plantago erecta

moderate

annual

Caterpillars feed on plantain species during spring breeding season

Bay Area native

Exserted Indian Paintbrush

Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta

moderate

annual

alternative host plant for early season caterpillars

Bay Area native

Foothill Penstemon

Penstemon heterophyllus

moderate

perennial herb

Larval host plant; supports multiple generations Apr-Jul in California

Bay Area native

Hairy gumplant

Grindelia hirsutula

high

perennial herb

Confirmed host plant for caterpillar development; multiple generations

Bay Area native

Lippia

Phyla nodiflora

high

perennial herb

Multi-brooded species; larval host plant for multiple generations Apr-Oct

Bay Area native

Mulefat

Baccharis salicifolia

high

shrub

Host plant for caterpillars; multiple generations per season

Bay Area native

Seep Monkeyflower

Erythranthe guttata

moderate

annual

Opportunistic nectar source; multiple generations utilize flowers Apr-Oct

Bay Area native

Suisun Marsh Aster

Symphyotrichum lentum

moderate

perennial herb

fall migrants utilize late-blooming aster stands

Bay Area native

Vervain

Verbena lasiostachys var. scabrida

high

perennial herb

Multiple generations utilize as larval host plant; primary food source for caterpillars

Bay Area native