Plants for Support Endangered Species
479 plants
American Glasswort
Salicornia pacifica
perennial herb
Primary food source in coastal salt marsh habitats; critical winter survival food
Amphibious Bistort
Persicaria amphibia
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; critical for wetland populations
Blue Violet
Viola adunca
perennial herb
Larval host in wet meadows and seeps
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 Black Oak
Quercus kelloggii
tree
Critical acorn consumer Sep-Nov; caches acorns for winter food and aids in oak regeneration
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 Figwort
Scrophularia californica
perennial herb
Larval hostplant; caterpillars feed on foliage Apr-May; adult nectar source
California Golden Violet
Viola pedunculata
perennial herb
Larvae feed on viola leaves in spring; endemic to California foothills
California Goldenrod
Solidago velutina ssp. californica
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source Sep-Oct during southbound migration to Mexico
California Lilac (Blue Blossom)
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
shrub
Critical larval host plant; eggs laid Mar-May during bloom
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
Critical larval food plant for caterpillars in early spring; host plant dependency varies by subspecies and population
California sunflower
Helianthus californicus
perennial herb
critical nectar source during fall migration staging Sep-Oct
Chaparral Pea
Pickeringia montana var. montana
shrub
Spring larval host, typically monophagous on Pickeringia
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; multiple broods utilize plant March-July
Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia
tree
Primary acorn disperser and cache-maker; critical for oak regeneration Sep-Nov
Coast Range Mule-ears
Wyethia glabra
perennial herb
Larvae feed on foliage in early spring; critical host plant for this subspecies in California
Coast Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens
tree
Requires old-growth coast redwood canopy for nest platforms; April-June breeding season
Coast Wallflower
Erysimum capitatum
perennial herb
Critical host plant for early season larvae development
Common Fiddleneck
Amsinckia menziesii
annual
Primary seed cache food source in coastal sage scrub habitat
Common Rush
Juncus patens
grass
Critical breeding habitat April-June; dense rush beds provide egg-laying substrate and tadpole refuge
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
Deerweed
Acmispon glaber
shrub
Endangered species; year-round nectar resource critical for population support
Dense-flower Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja densiflora subsp. Densiflora
annual
Larval food plant for early spring broods
Dotseed Plantain
Plantago erecta
annual
Critical spring host plant; caterpillars develop on young Plantago erecta foliage
Elegant Clarkia
Clarkia unguiculata
annual
Larvae feed exclusively on Clarkia foliage Jun-Jul
Exserted Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta
annual
critical larval food plant for caterpillars in spring emergence
Facelia
Phacelia tanacetifolia
annual
Critical spring forage for California endemic species
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
Goose-foot Yellow Violet
Viola purpurea subsp. quercetorum
perennial herb
Host plant for larval development in oak woodland habitats
Gray Pine
Pinus sabiniana
tree
Primary seed dispersal agent; caches pine nuts for overwinter food storage Sep-Nov
Hairy gumplant
Grindelia hirsutula
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source during southbound migration (Aug-Oct)
Hind's Black Walnut
Juglans hindsii
tree
Primary mast crop harvested Sept-Nov, critical cache food for winter survival
Imbricate Phacelia
Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata
perennial herb
Key host plant for larval development in California populations
Indian Warrior
Pedicularis densiflora
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring months
Inland Saltgrass
Distichlis spicata
grass
Critical year-round food in saline and alkaline wetlands where this species specializes
Interior Goldenbush
Ericameria linearifolia
shrub
Critical larval food plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina var. cyclosorum
fern
Critical refugium in moist woodland margins; provides cover during breeding and overwintering
Madrone
Arbutus menziesii
tree
Primary food source Sep-Nov during migration; critical staging fuel
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
Primary larval host plant; critical for arid population survival
Narrow-leaf Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
perennial herb
Critical larval host plant throughout CA growing season Jun-Sep; spring/fall migration staging resource
Oregon White Oak
Quercus garryana
tree
Critical acorn caching and consumption Sep-Feb; disperses acorns through scatter-hoarding behavior
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
Puget Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza deltoidea
perennial herb
Larval host plant for caterpillars
Purple Needlegrass
Stipa pulchra
grass
Nesting habitat critical Apr-Jul in native grasslands
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
perennial herb
Primary winter browse; critical component of winter diet in sagebrush-steppe habitats
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
Primary larval host plant for early spring broods
Sky Lupine
Lupinus nanus
annual
Caterpillar host plant; critical for population persistence in coastal areas
Small Flowered Melica
Melica imperfecta
grass
primary seed cache component in California grasslands
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
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on flower buds and developing inflorescences
Valley Oak
Quercus lobata
tree
Primary acorn harvesting and caching Sep-Nov; critical for winter survival
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
Nominal subspecies; primary host plant in coastal California populations
Yerba Santa
Eriodictyon californicum
shrub
Obligate host plant; regional populations depend on plant availability
Alkali Seaheath
Frankenia salina
perennial herb
Parasitic host relationship; primary nutrient source
Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
perennial herb
Primary diet component year-round; critical winter forage when other foods unavailable
Blue Bush Lupine
Lupinus propinquus
perennial herb
specialist caterpillar host plant for spring brood development
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source Aug-Oct; spring breeding population Apr-Jun
California Nutmeg
Torreya californica
perennial herb
Consumes and caches nutmeg seeds as food source; critical seed dispersal agent
Canyon Sunflower
Venegasia carpesioides
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Chaparral Yucca
Hesperoyucca whipplei
perennial herb
Critical pollinator; larvae develop within yucca fruit; obligate mutualist with Hesperoyucca whipplei
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
Host plant for caterpillar development in spring; critical during larval feeding period
Island Bush Snapdragon
Galvezia speciosa
shrub
Primary habitat component for this endemic species; nesting and cover
Leafy Reed Grass
Calamagrostis foliosa
perennial herb
Dense reed cover essential for concealment and breeding habitat in coastal marshes
Old Man's Whiskers
Geum triflorum
perennial herb
Critical early spring nectar when few flowers available
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
Historical larval host designation; caterpillar development in spring
San Diego Sedge
Carex spissa
perennial herb
uses dense sedge stands in coastal marshes for nesting cover and foraging habitat
Scrub Oak
Quercus dumosa
perennial herb
Primary host plant; larvae defoliate foliage April-June
Seacliff buckwheat
Eriogonum parvifolium
shrub
larvae feed exclusively on buckwheat flowers and developing seeds
Western marsh rosemary
Limonium californicum
perennial herb
Dense marsh vegetation provides essential nesting and escape cover in coastal salt marshes; critical habitat structure
Alameda Manzanita
Arctostaphylos pallida
shrub
Larval host plant; caterpillars feed on manzanita foliage in spring
American Bulrush
Schoenoplectus americanus
grass
Winter foraging in tule marshes; key overwinter food resource
American Cow-parsnip
Heracleum maximum
perennial herb
Important nectar source for migration fuel; used during spring northward migration Mar-May
American-hemp
Apocynum cannabinum
perennial herb
Critical larval host plant for California populations; caterpillars feed on milkweed family plants including A. cannabinum
Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis
shrub
Caterpillars feed on willow leaves during spring emergence
Balsam Poplar
Populus trichocarpa
tree
Tall trees preferred for nest sites; nesting December-July in California riparian habitat
Beach Saltbush
Atriplex leucophylla
perennial herb
Multiple generations per year; larvae feed on plant foliage
Beach Sand-spurrey
Spergularia macrotheca var. macrotheca
perennial herb
insects attracted to plant provide invertebrate prey base
Bearberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata var. ledebourii
shrub
Larval host plant for California populations
Bearbind
Calystegia sepium subsp. limnophila
vine
Critical nectar source for spring and fall migrations through California; fueling for long-distance movement
Big Leaf Sedge
Carex amplifolia
perennial herb
nests in dense sedge marshes March-July, uses culms for nest construction
Big Squirreltail
Elymus multisetus
grass
Primary seed forager in coastal sage scrub and grassland habitats where Elymus occurs
Big-leaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum
tree
Seed collection and storage Sep-Nov
Bigcone Pine
Pinus coulteri
tree
Larvae feed on pine needles spring-early summer; adults emerge mid-summer
Bishop Pine
Pinus muricata
perennial herb
Feeds on bishop pine seeds and creates seed caches; facilitates natural regeneration through scatter-hoarding
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 Flax
Linum lewisii
perennial herb
Larval host plant; endemic California species in semi-arid regions
Blue Witch
Solanum umbelliferum
shrub
Spring bloom nectar source
Blue oak
Quercus douglasii
tree
Cache and consume acorns; important seed dispersal agent Sep-Nov
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
Larvae feed on foliage in spring; critical host plant for caterpillar development
Brittleleaf Manzanita
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea
shrub
Year-round shelter and browse in dense manzanita thickets
Brownhead Rush
Juncus phaeocephalus var. phaeocephalus
perennial herb
nesting season diet; uses dense rush stands for cover and nesting substrate in wetland margins
Buckbrush
Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus
shrub
larval host plant, caterpillars feed on young leaves May-June
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
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