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California hairstreak butterfly

Satyrium californica

CA: Threatened

Listed under California ESA

Gray butterfly with orange spots and thin tail-like extensions on hindwings. Bay Area native whose caterpillars feed on oaks; important for local food webs.

Plants that support California hairstreak butterfly

4 plants

Buckbrush

Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus

high

shrub

larval host plant, caterpillars feed on young leaves May-June

Bay Area nativeKeystone species

California Coffeeberry

Frangula californica

high

shrub

Larval host plant, critical for this California endemic butterfly

Bay Area native

Naked Buckwheat

Eriogonum nudum var. auriculatum

high

perennial herb

Single brood uses developing seeds as food source June-August

Bay Area native

Woolypod milkweed

Asclepias eriocarpa

moderate

perennial herb

Larval host plant during spring-summer generation

Bay Area native