Painted lady butterfly
Vanessa cardui
Medium orange-brown butterfly with white forewing spots and speckled hindwings. Migratory, appears in waves during spring and fall. Caterpillars feed on thistles and mallows; swift pollinator.
Plants that support Painted lady butterfly
50 plants
Alameda County Thistle
Cirsium quercetorum
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant for caterpillars; critical food source for larvae
Alpine Self-heal
Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata
perennial herb
Migratory species uses as nectar source during passage
American-hemp
Apocynum cannabinum
perennial herb
Migratory species uses apocynum as nectar source during California passages
Apache-beads
Anemopsis californica
perennial herb
Multiple generations utilize as larval host plant
Black Sage
Salvia mellifera
shrub
Apr-Jul nectar source; spring migration staging fuel
Blue Field Gilia
Gilia capitata
annual
Migratory species utilizing flowers during northbound and southbound passages
Branching Phacelia
Phacelia ramosissima
perennial herb
Early season resource during population expansion
California Aster
Corethrogyne filaginifolia
perennial herb
Multiple generations throughout growing season; uses aster as secondary host plant
California Aster
Symphyotrichum chilense
perennial herb
Fall generation fueling Sep-Nov
California Buckeye
Aesculus californica
tree
Spring migration and breeding nectar source
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
shrub
Opportunistic forager during extended bloom periods
California Sagebrush
Artemisia californica
shrub
Multi-generational host plant; larvae feed on foliage Mar-Nov with peak populations Aug-Oct
Chaparral Pea
Pickeringia montana var. montana
shrub
Polyphagous but utilizes Pickeringia during abundance years
Coastal Tidy-tips
Layia platyglossa
annual
Nectar source during spring dispersal and breeding
Cobwebby Thistle
Cirsium occidentale var. venustum
annual
Multiple generations use thistle as primary larval host plant; critical during population irruptions
Common Fiddleneck
Amsinckia menziesii
annual
Larval food plant for multiple broods in favorable years
Common Pearlyeverlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
perennial herb
Multiple generations utilize flowers Jul-Sep
Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum var. achilleoides
perennial herb
Multi-generational, migratory populations feed Mar-Nov
Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus
annual
Multi-brooded species utilizing blooms throughout growing season
Coyote Mint
Monardella villosa
shrub
Opportunistic migratory species; bloom season foraging
Creeping Sage
Salvia sonomensis
shrub
Spring migrant and breeder; nectar source during bloom season
Desert Blue Bells
Phacelia campanularia
perennial herb
Spring migration fuel source in desert wildflower blooms
Distant Phacelia
Phacelia distans
annual
Multiple generations utilize as larval host during growing season
Douglas's False Willow
Baccharis glutinosa
perennial herb
opportunistic nectaring throughout growing season
Eastwood's Manzanita
Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. glandulosa
shrub
Opportunistic host plant during population irruptions
Giant Figwort*
Adelinia grandis
perennial herb
Polyphagous host; larvae consume foliage April-September
Golden yarrow
Eriophyllum confertiflorum
shrub
Larval host plant for multiple generations
Goldeneggs
Taraxia ovata
perennial herb
Multiple generations utilize plant as larval food source during warm months
Hairy gumplant
Grindelia hirsutula
perennial herb
Year-round bloomer attraction; key resource during population irruptions
Interior Goldenbush
Ericameria linearifolia
shrub
Polyphagous species; host plant for population booms in spring
Ithuriel's Spear
Triteleia laxa
geophyte
Spring and summer nectar use during migration and breeding
Jeweled Onion
Allium serra
geophyte
polyphagous host, larvae feed on Allium species spring-early summer
June Centaury
Zeltnera muehlenbergii
annual
polyphagous species utilizes various plants including Zeltnera during spring broods
Madrone
Arbutus menziesii
tree
Opportunistic spring forager in abundance years
Miner's Lettuce*
Claytonia perfoliata subsp. intermontana
annual
Larval host plant for spring and summer generations
Mock Heather
Ericameria ericoides
perennial herb
Caterpillars feed on foliage during spring-early summer
Mount Diablo Manzanita
Arctostaphylos auriculata
shrub
Spring migration nectar source for population movements through California
Mt. Tamalpais Manzanita
Arctostaphylos montana ssp. montana
perennial herb
Spring migration and breeding season fuel
Mulefat
Baccharis salicifolia
shrub
Multiple generations utilize for nectar during migration periods and breeding
Naked Buckwheat
Eriogonum nudum var. auriculatum
perennial herb
Secondary host plant; abundant generalist uses during population booms
Narrowleaf mule ears
Wyethia angustifolia
perennial herb
Migratory species uses as nectar source; critical for fueling migration movements
Presidio Clarkia
Clarkia franciscana
annual
migratory species uses wildflowers during spring passage through California
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
perennial herb
Abundant generalist forager; uses flowers during migratory movements
Seaside Heliotrope
Heliotropium curassavicum
perennial herb
Primary host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage during warm months
Slender Sunflower
Helianthus gracilentus
perennial herb
Polyphagous species; utilized during population irruptions and migration
Spring Lessingia
Lessingia tenuis
annual
Migratory species utilizing late summer blooms as migration fuel
Woollyfruit Desertparsley
Lomatium dasycarpum subsp. dasycarpum
perennial herb
Opportunistic use when other hosts scarce; multiple generations
Yerba Santa
Eriodictyon californicum
shrub
Migratory species; may use blooms during spring and fall passage