Plants for Support Butterflies
483 plants
Alameda County Thistle
Cirsium quercetorum
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant for caterpillars; critical food source for larvae
American birdsfoot trefoil
Acmispon americanus
annual
Host plant for larval development; critical for population maintenance in California
Amphibious Bistort
Persicaria amphibia
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; critical for wetland populations
Bearberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata var. ledebourii
shrub
Larval host plant, critical for caterpillar development
Blue Elderberry
Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea
tree
Berries ripen Jul-Aug; consumed by 50+ bird species during late summer migration
Blue Violet
Viola adunca
perennial herb
Spring larval host in western montane regions
Bog Orchid
Platanthera dilatata
perennial herb
Critical larval host in early season
Broad-leaved Lupine
Lupinus latifolius var. latifolius
perennial herb
Specialist on lupine hosts, larvae feed on flower buds and foliage
California Aster
Symphyotrichum chilense
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source Sep-Nov during southbound migration to Mexico
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
shrub
Specialist host plant for larval development
California Chia
Salvia columbariae
annual
Larval host plant for caterpillar development in spring
California Coffeeberry
Frangula californica
shrub
Primary larval host plant for pale swallowtail in California, eggs laid Apr-May
California Figwort
Scrophularia californica
perennial herb
Larval hostplant; caterpillars feed on foliage Apr-May; adult nectar source
California Golden Violet
Viola pedunculata
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant for this native butterfly species
California Goldenrod
Solidago velutina ssp. californica
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source Sep-Oct during southbound migration to Mexico
California Juniper
Juniperus californica
tree
Larvae feed on juniper foliage; primary host plant for this species
California Milkweed
Asclepias californica
perennial herb
Critical larval food plant for multiple generations; essential for spring and fall migration populations
California goldfields
Lasthenia californica
annual
Primary larval host plant for this Bay Area endemic subspecies during early spring emergence
California sunflower
Helianthus californicus
perennial herb
critical nectar source during fall migration staging Sep-Oct
Chick lupine
Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus
annual
Larval host plant for multiple broods in California grasslands and scrubland
Chinese Houses
Collinsia heterophylla
annual
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Coast Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja affinis subsp. affinis + Diplacus aurantiacus
shrub
Larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage April-June
Coast Range Mule-ears
Wyethia glabra
perennial herb
Larvae feed on foliage in early spring; critical host plant for this subspecies in California
Coast Wallflower
Erysimum capitatum
perennial herb
Critical host plant for early season larvae development
Cobwebby Thistle
Cirsium occidentale var. venustum
annual
Multiple generations use thistle as primary larval host plant; critical during population irruptions
Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum var. achilleoides
perennial herb
Early spring larval development, critical host plant
Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus
annual
Critical fall migration nectar Aug-Oct for southbound populations
Coyote Brush
Baccharis pilularis
shrub
Critical fall migration staging nectar Sep-Nov
Coyote Mint
Monardella villosa
shrub
Critical fall migration fuel Aug-Sep for southern migration
Dense-flower Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja densiflora subsp. Densiflora
annual
Larval food plant for early spring broods
Dotseed Plantain
Plantago erecta
annual
Caterpillar development on Plantago erecta in vernal pool margins and grasslands
Douglas Iris
Iris douglasiana
perennial herb
Larval host plant; evergreen foliage supports multiple generations
Douglas' Thistle
Cirsium douglasii var. douglasii
perennial herb
Preferred host plant; multiple generations Mar-Oct; can be irruptive
Exserted Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta
annual
primary host plant for larval development
False Babystars
Leptosiphon androsaceus
annual
critical larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Glandular Layia
Layia glandulosa
perennial herb
Critical larval host plant for spring-emerging butterflies
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
shrub
Multi-generational larval host; overwinters as adult
Goose-foot Yellow Violet
Viola purpurea subsp. quercetorum
perennial herb
Primary violet host for larvae in California oak communities
Hairy gumplant
Grindelia hirsutula
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source during southbound migration (Aug-Oct)
Hollyleaf Buckthorn
Rhamnus crocea
shrub
Primary larval host plant in California chaparral and oak woodlands
Imbricate Phacelia
Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata
perennial herb
Key host plant for larval development in California populations
Indian Warrior
Pedicularis densiflora
perennial herb
Important larval host; caterpillars feed on foliage during spring development
Inland Saltgrass
Distichlis spicata
grass
Primary larval host in alkali wetlands and saline habitats of California interior valleys
Interior Goldenbush
Ericameria linearifolia
shrub
Critical larval food plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Milkmaids
Cardamine californica
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant in California; critical for spring emergence
Mulefat
Baccharis salicifolia
shrub
Critical fall migration fuel source Sep-Oct during southbound migration to overwintering sites
Naked Buckwheat
Eriogonum nudum var. auriculatum
perennial herb
Multiple generations utilize plant as primary larval host plant April-September
Narrow-leaf Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
perennial herb
Critical larval host plant throughout CA growing season Jun-Sep; spring/fall migration staging resource
Pacific Black-snakeroot
Sanicula crassicaulis
perennial herb
Host plant for larvae, species-specific relationship
Pacific stonecrop
Sedum spathulifolium
perennial herb
Host plant for butterfly larvae; early spring caterpillar development
Pioneer Violet
Viola glabella
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on viola leaves in spring
Pipevine
Aristolochia californica
vine
Sole larval host plant; caterpillars feed exclusively on pipevine foliage Mar-May, critical for species reproduction and conservation
Puget Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza deltoidea
perennial herb
Larval host plant for caterpillars
Red Maids*
Calandrinia menziesii
annual
critical larval host plant for spring broods in California deserts and semi-arid regions
Red-flowering buckwheat
Eriogonum grande var. rubescens
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant
Santa Rosa Horkelia
Horkelia tenuiloba
perennial herb
primary larval host plant for copper butterfly development
Seaside Heliotrope
Heliotropium curassavicum
perennial herb
Critical host plant for monarch caterpillars during spring-fall migration periods; essential for population maintenance
Showy milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
perennial herb
Essential larval food plant for multiple generations; critical during spring northward migration (Feb-Apr) and fall southward migration (Aug-Oct)
Silver bush lupine
Lupinus albifrons
shrub
Critical larval food plant for caterpillars
Sky Lupine
Lupinus nanus
annual
Caterpillar host plant; critical for population persistence in coastal areas
Sonoma Mountain Pride
Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis
perennial herb
Caterpillars feed on plant foliage in spring, critical host plant for population persistence
Sticky Chinese Houses
Collinsia tinctoria
annual
Caterpillars feed on foliage in spring before pupation; critical early season host plant
Sulfur Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum var. bahiiforme
perennial herb
Host plant for multiple generations; caterpillars develop on flowers
Western goldenrod
Euthamia occidentalis
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source Sep-Oct during southbound migration to overwintering sites
Woolypod milkweed
Asclepias eriocarpa
perennial herb
Critical larval foodplant for multiple generations; adults also nectar on flowers
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source Sep-Oct during southbound migration to Mexico
Yellow Bush Penstemon
Keckiella antirrhinoides
perennial herb
Subspecific population utilizing this host plant; early spring caterpillar development
Yerba Santa
Eriodictyon californicum
shrub
Host plant for caterpillars; critical for larval development
Big Saltbush
Atriplex lentiformis
shrub
Specialized larval host in desert and semi-arid regions
Blue Bush Lupine
Lupinus propinquus
perennial herb
specialist caterpillar host plant for spring brood development
Blue grama
Bouteloua gracilis
grass
essential larval host plant for prairie populations
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source Aug-Oct; spring breeding population Apr-Jun
Canyon Sunflower
Venegasia carpesioides
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Coast buckwheat
Eriogonum latifolium
perennial herb
Larval food plant for spring brood
Desert Agave
Agave deserti
perennial herb
Caterpillar specialist on agave species; overwinters in leaf rosette
Desert Candle
Caulanthus inflatus
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on developing seed pods and foliage
Douglas' Water-hemlock
Cicuta douglasii
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage; multiple generations April-October in California
Fern-leaved Lomatium
Lomatium dissectum
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant for specialized populations in western foothills
Graceful Cinquefoil
Potentilla gracilis
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel, August-October
Heart leaved keckiella
Keckiella cordifolia
shrub
Primary larval host plant for this subspecies in coastal California populations
Purple Haze California Aster
Aster chilensis 'Purple Haze'
perennial herb
critical fall migration fuel source Sep-Oct during southbound migration
Purple sage
Salvia leucophylla
shrub
Critical migration nectar source Aug-Oct and Mar-Apr
Royal Penstemon
Penstemon speciosus
perennial herb
Primary larval food plant; caterpillars feed on leaves in early spring
Seacliff buckwheat
Eriogonum parvifolium
shrub
multiple subspecies (tildeni, smithi) use seacliff buckwheat as primary larval food plant
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
perennial herb
Important larval host; caterpillars feed communally on nettle leaves May-July
Alkali-marsh Butterweed
Senecio hydrophilus
perennial herb
caterpillars feed on foliage during spring-early summer development
American Cow-parsnip
Heracleum maximum
perennial herb
Important nectar source for migration fuel; used during spring northward migration Mar-May
American Glasswort
Salicornia pacifica
perennial herb
Multiple generations per year in California coastal marshes; larvae feed on succulent stems and leaves
American Licorice
Glycyrrhiza lepidota
perennial herb
Larvae feed on legume foliage; multiple generations in California
American-hemp
Apocynum cannabinum
perennial herb
Critical larval host plant for California populations; caterpillars feed on milkweed family plants including A. cannabinum
Angelica
Angelica tomentosa
perennial herb
caterpillars feed on Angelica foliage April-August; multiple generations per year in California
Annual Agoseris
Agoseris heterophylla
annual
Larval host plant for skipper caterpillars in spring generation
Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis
shrub
Caterpillars feed on young willow leaves in spring; single brood
Beach Saltbush
Atriplex leucophylla
perennial herb
Multiple generations per year; larvae feed on plant foliage
Bearbind
Calystegia sepium subsp. limnophila
vine
Critical nectar source for spring and fall migrations through California; fueling for long-distance movement
Big Deervetch
Hosackia crassifolia var. crassifolia
perennial herb
Larvae feed on plant foliage; univoltine or bivoltine depending on location
Bigelow's Sneezeweed
Helenium bigelovii
perennial herb
Larval foodplant for multiple broods; active March-October
Bitter-berry
Prunus virginiana var. demissa
tree
Important fall and winter food source; sustains populations through cold months
Bladder Desert-parsley
Lomatium utriculatum
perennial herb
Larvae feed on Apiaceae family plants including Lomatium; multiple generations March-September
Bleeding-heart
Dicentra formosa
perennial herb
Larvae feed on Dicentra formosa leaves in spring; single generation per year
Blue Field Gilia
Gilia capitata
annual
Critical spring migration fuel (northbound) and fall pre-migration energy source (southbound)
Blue Fiesta Flower
Pholistoma auritum
annual
Host plant for larvae in spring-summer
Blue Flax
Linum lewisii
perennial herb
Larval food plant for multiple generations; critical during spring/fall migration corridors
Blue Wildrye
Elymus glaucus
grass
Larval host plant; caterpillars feed on grass blades in spring
Blue Witch
Solanum umbelliferum
shrub
Larval host plant; multiple generations spring-summer
Bog Lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus
perennial herb
larval host plant for caterpillars
Bottlebrush Squirreltail
Elymus elymoides var. elymoides
grass
Larval food plant during active growing season
Brewer's Ragwort
Packera breweri
perennial herb
Early spring nectar source for migrating populations returning to California
Brewer's Rockcress
Boechera breweri subsp. breweri
perennial herb
host plant for caterpillar development, multiple generations Apr-Jun
Bristly Jewelflower
Streptanthus glandulosus subsp. glandulosus
annual
Larval host plant for caterpillars; critical for breeding
British Columbia Wild Ginger
Asarum caudatum
perennial herb
Caterpillar host plant for this rare swallowtail butterfly species
Buckbrush
Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus
shrub
larval host plant, multiple broods May-September
Bush Seepweed
Suaeda nigra
perennial herb
Multiple generations; larvae feed on halophytic plants including Suaeda species in alkaline habitats
Butterfly Mariposa Lily
Calochortus venustus
geophyte
Larvae feed on bulb leaves in spring during development
California Angelica
Angelica californica
perennial herb
Larvae feed on Angelica and related Apiaceae; multiple generations Apr-Sep
California Ash
Fraxinus dipetala
tree
Larvae feed on ash foliage in spring; host plant for this California endemic butterfly
California Aster
Corethrogyne filaginifolia
perennial herb
California endemic; larvae develop on aster species in spring and early summer
California Brickellbush
Brickellia californica
shrub
Larval host plant for skipper butterfly; caterpillars feed on foliage spring through summer
California Buckeye
Aesculus californica
tree
Spring migration nectar source, May-Jun bloom provides critical fuel
California Buttercup
Ranunculus californicus var. californicus
perennial herb
Early season ground-nesting bee provisioning
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