Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
Large black swallowtail with yellow and blue hindwing markings. Caterpillars feed exclusively on fennel, dill, and native parsnip. Adults visit nectar flowers; presence indicates healthy Bay Area gardens.
Plants that support Anise Swallowtail
26 plants
American Cow-parsnip
Heracleum maximum
perennial herb
Caterpillars use Heracleum as primary host plant; 2-3 generations Mar-Oct
Angelica
Angelica tomentosa
perennial herb
caterpillars feed on Angelica foliage April-August; multiple generations per year in California
Bladder Desert-parsley
Lomatium utriculatum
perennial herb
Larvae feed on Apiaceae family plants including Lomatium; multiple generations March-September
Blue Field Gilia
Gilia capitata
annual
Adult nectar resource during flight season
California Angelica
Angelica californica
perennial herb
Larvae feed on Angelica and related Apiaceae; multiple generations Apr-Sep
California Aster
Symphyotrichum chilense
perennial herb
Multiple generation foraging Jul-Nov
California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
perennial herb
Late-season adult nectar source during fall generation
California Lomatium
Lomatium californicum
perennial herb
larvae feed on Apiaceae family plants including Lomatium species; multiple generations April-September
California Yampah
Perideridia californica
perennial herb
Caterpillars feed on Apiaceae family plants including Perideridia; multiple generations Mar-Sep
Coast Larkspur
Delphinium hesperium subsp. hesperium
perennial herb
Larval host plant for caterpillar development
Coast Wallflower
Erysimum capitatum
perennial herb
Host plant for early season larvae in Brassicaceae family
Cobwebby Thistle
Cirsium occidentale var. venustum
annual
Caterpillars develop on various Apiaceae and related plants
Giant Figwort*
Adelinia grandis
perennial herb
Multiple generations; larvae feed on foliage April-September
Hansen's Larkspur
Delphinium hansenii
perennial herb
Spring emergence nectar source
Kellogg's Yampah
Perideridia kelloggii
perennial herb
Larvae feed on Apiaceae family plants including Perideridia; multiple generations Mar-Oct in California
Pipevine
Aristolochia californica
vine
Adults feed on pipevine flowers during bloom season Jan-Apr
Popcorn-flower
Plagiobothrys nothofulvus
annual
Spring and summer adult nectar and pollen feeding
Puget Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza deltoidea
perennial herb
Host plant for caterpillars in spring
Sky Lupine
Lupinus nanus
annual
Adult nectar source during flight season
St. Catherine's Lace
Eriogonum giganteum
perennial herb
Adult nectar source during flight season; larvae feed on related Apiaceae plants
Water parsely
Oenanthe sarmentosa
perennial herb
Larvae feed on Apiaceae family plants; multiple generations Apr-Oct in California
Whiteleaf Manzanita
Arctostaphylos manzanita subsp. laevigata
shrub
Spring bloom period nectar source
Woollyfruit Desertparsley
Lomatium dasycarpum subsp. dasycarpum
perennial herb
Lomatium species are primary larval host plants; multiple generations Apr-Sep
Yellow Coastal Bush Lupine
Lupinus arboreus
perennial herb
Spring and early summer adult nectar source