Plants for Support Endangered Species
345 plants
Blue Violet
Viola adunca
perennial herb
Spring larval development on Viola adunca
California Black Oak
Quercus kelloggii
tree
Acorn caching and consumption Sep-Dec; major seed disperser supporting oak regeneration
California Milkweed
Asclepias californica
perennial herb
Critical larval food plant for multiple generations; essential for spring and fall migration populations
Coast Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens
tree
Requires old-growth coast redwood canopy for nest platforms; April-June breeding season
Common Rush
Juncus patens
grass
Dense cover for foraging and nesting March-September; critical refuge from predators
Exserted Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja exserta subsp. exserta
annual
critical larval food plant for caterpillars in spring emergence
Goose-foot Yellow Violet
Viola purpurea subsp. quercetorum
perennial herb
Host plant for larval development in oak woodland habitats
Inland Saltgrass
Distichlis spicata
grass
Critical year-round food in saline and alkaline wetlands where this species specializes
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina var. cyclosorum
fern
Critical refugium in moist woodland margins; provides cover during breeding and overwintering
Narrow-leaf Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
perennial herb
Critical larval host plant throughout CA growing season Jun-Sep; spring/fall migration staging resource
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa
perennial herb
Specialized pine seed extraction from bark crevices
Purple Needlegrass
Stipa pulchra
grass
Nesting habitat critical Apr-Jul in native grasslands
Sticky Chinese Houses
Collinsia tinctoria
annual
Caterpillars feed on foliage in spring before pupation; critical early season host plant
Yellow Bush Penstemon
Keckiella antirrhinoides
perennial herb
Nominal subspecies; primary host plant in coastal California populations
American Bulrush
Schoenoplectus americanus
grass
Winter foraging in tule marshes; key overwinter food resource
American Glasswort
Salicornia pacifica
perennial herb
Primary food source in coastal salt marsh habitats; critical winter survival food
Bishop Pine
Pinus muricata
perennial herb
Feeds on bishop pine seeds and creates seed caches; facilitates natural regeneration through scatter-hoarding
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
Buckbrush
Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus
shrub
larval host plant, multiple broods May-September
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
shrub
Specialist host plant for larval development
California Coffeeberry
Frangula californica
shrub
Larval host plant, critical for this California endemic butterfly
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 Juniper
Juniperus californica
tree
Builds nests in juniper shrubs and small trees during breeding season
California Live-oak
Quercus chrysolepis
tree
Major larval host; caterpillar defoliation Apr-Jun; can reach outbreak densities
California goldfields
Lasthenia californica
annual
Primary larval host plant for this Bay Area endemic subspecies during early spring emergence
Chamise
Adenostoma fasciculatum
shrub
Caterpillars feed on chamise leaves; adults emerge mid-summer
Chaparral Mallow
Malacothamnus fasciculatus
shrub
Spring and early summer foraging for colony provisioning
Checker Bloom
Sidalcea malviflora
perennial herb
Spring-early summer visitor to checker bloom flowers
Coast Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja affinis subsp. affinis + Diplacus aurantiacus
shrub
Larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage April-June
Coast Larkspur
Delphinium hesperium subsp. hesperium
perennial herb
Early spring foraging for queen establishment and colony founding
Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia
tree
Primary acorn disperser and cache-maker; critical for oak regeneration Sep-Nov
Cobwebby Thistle
Cirsium occidentale var. venustum
annual
Caterpillars feed on Cirsium species as larval host in early season
Common Fiddleneck
Amsinckia menziesii
annual
Primary seed cache food source in coastal sage scrub habitat
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' Thistle
Cirsium douglasii var. douglasii
perennial herb
Host plant for caterpillars; flight period May-Sep
Elegant Clarkia
Clarkia unguiculata
annual
Larvae feed exclusively on Clarkia foliage Jun-Jul
False Babystars
Leptosiphon androsaceus
annual
critical larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Five-finger Fern
Adiantum aleuticum
fern
moist fern habitat refugium during breeding migration and overwintering
Glandular Layia
Layia glandulosa
perennial herb
Critical larval host plant for spring-emerging butterflies
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)
Indian Warrior
Pedicularis densiflora
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring months
Interior Goldenbush
Ericameria linearifolia
shrub
Critical larval food plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Interior Live Oak
Quercus wislizeni
tree
Acorn consumption during migration staging and wintering
Monkeyflower (Scarlet)
Erythranthe cardinalis
perennial herb
Regional specialist butterfly; forages on scarlet monkeyflowers in riparian zones
Naked Buckwheat
Eriogonum nudum var. auriculatum
perennial herb
Larvae feed on inflorescences; key host plant for population persistence
Napa False Indigo
Amorpha californica var. napensis
perennial herb
larval food plant for spring brood development
Oregon White Oak
Quercus garryana
tree
Critical acorn caching and consumption Sep-Feb; disperses acorns through scatter-hoarding behavior
Puget Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza deltoidea
perennial herb
Larval host plant for caterpillars
Red elderberry
Sambucus racemosa
shrub
Important late-season food; berries consumed during migration staging
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
perennial herb
Primary winter browse; critical component of winter diet in sagebrush-steppe habitats
Salal
Gaultheria shallon
perennial herb
Important mast resource during fall migration and winter months
Salmonberry
Rubus spectabilis
perennial herb
Summer foraging resource for breeding birds
Santa Rosa Horkelia
Horkelia tenuiloba
perennial herb
primary larval host plant for copper butterfly development
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
Sonoma Mountain Pride
Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis
perennial herb
Caterpillars feed on plant foliage in spring, critical host plant for population persistence
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
Vervain
Verbena lasiostachys var. scabrida
perennial herb
Early season larval host; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring months
Western Rush
Juncus occidentalis
grass
Dense rush stands provide nesting and foraging cover year-round in coastal salt marshes
Western Sword Fern
Polystichum munitum
fern
Uses dense sword fern patches as shelter in riparian understory
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
American-hemp
Apocynum cannabinum
perennial herb
Critical larval host plant for California populations; caterpillars feed on milkweed family plants including A. cannabinum
Amphibious Bistort
Persicaria amphibia
perennial herb
Primary larval host plant; critical for wetland populations
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
Bearberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata var. ledebourii
shrub
Larval host plant for California populations
Big Leaf Sedge
Carex amplifolia
perennial herb
utilizes dense sedge stands for breeding habitat and cover in wetland complexes
Big-leaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum
tree
Seed collection and storage Sep-Nov
Blue Wildrye
Elymus glaucus
grass
Utilizes dense grass clumps for refuge and thermoregulation; important microhabitat
Blue oak
Quercus douglasii
tree
Larvae defoliate oaks in outbreak years; spring emergence Mar-May
Bog Lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus
perennial herb
larval host plant for caterpillars
California Aster
Symphyotrichum chilense
perennial herb
Critical fall migration fuel source Sep-Nov during southbound migration to Mexico
California Hedgenettle
Stachys bullata
perennial herb
Specialist forager on native Stachys species during spring bloom
California Lilac (Blue Blossom)
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
shrub
Critical larval host plant; eggs laid Mar-May during bloom
California Mistmaiden
Romanzoffia californica
perennial herb
summer foraging and hay-making (curing vegetation) for winter food storage
California Sycamore
Platanus racemosa
tree
Nests in large sycamores along streams and riparian corridors Feb-Aug
California Wild Rose
Rosa californica
shrub
Important larval host; caterpillars feed May-Jul
California black-flowering sedge
Carex nudata
perennial herb
April-June breeding season, uses sedges for nest structure
California blackberry
Rubus ursinus
shrub
Late summer-fall staging and migration fuel Sep-Oct
California bottlebrush grass
Elymus californicus
grass
early spring dietary component when fresh growth available Mar-May
California sunflower
Helianthus californicus
perennial herb
critical nectar source during fall migration staging Sep-Oct
Cascara Sagrada
Frangula purshiana
shrub
Year-round resident; important food source especially late summer through fall
Chaparral Pea
Pickeringia montana var. montana
shrub
Spring larval host, typically monophagous on Pickeringia
Chick lupine
Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus
annual
Preferred larval host plant in coastal sage scrub and grassland habitats
Cliff Sword Fern
Polystichum imbricans subsp. imbricans
fern
dense fronds provide essential humid microhabitat and refuge in wetland margins
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
Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum var. achilleoides
perennial herb
Early spring larval development, critical host plant
Cottonwood
Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii
tree
Primary mast consumer; critical for seed dispersal and caching behavior
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
Coyote Willow
Salix exigua var. hindsiana
tree
Early-season pollen source for founding queens and workers
Creeping Spikerush
Eleocharis macrostachya
grass
migration staging in California wetlands; seeds and vegetative matter important during spring and fall passage
Deerbrush
Ceanothus integerrimus
perennial herb
Early-season caterpillar host plant in California foothills
Deerweed
Acmispon glaber
shrub
Endangered species; year-round nectar resource critical for population support
Douglas' Drymocallis
Drymocallis glandulosa
perennial herb
Montane population early season resource
Dunn Oak
Quercus palmeri
tree
Acorn caching and consumption; important oak seed disperser
Evergreen Violet
Viola sempervirens
perennial herb
Early instar larvae utilize violet leaves as primary host plant food source
Foothill Penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus
perennial herb
Larval host plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Foothill Sedge
Carex tumulicola
grass
evergreen cover and nesting material in foothill meadows year-round
Foothill needlegrass
Stipa lepida
grass
resident species in California foothill grasslands
Giant Chain Fern
Woodwardia fimbriata
fern
Dense fronds provide refuge and egg-laying substrate near water
Hillside Gooseberry
Ribes californicum var. californicum
shrub
Larvae feed on Ribes foliage; host plant for California native butterfly
Hind's Black Walnut
Juglans hindsii
tree
Primary mast crop harvested Sept-Nov, critical cache food for winter survival
Hollyleaf Buckthorn
Rhamnus crocea
shrub
Important fruit source during fall migration and winter staging
Madrone
Arbutus menziesii
tree
Primary food source Sep-Nov during migration; critical staging fuel
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum jordanii
fern
Uses dense frond coverage for protection while hunting soil invertebrates
Milkmaids
Cardamine californica
perennial herb
Nectar source during emergence and dispersal periods
Mountain Coyote Mint
Monardella odoratissima
perennial herb
Northbound migrants April-May; critical refueling nectar
Mulefat
Baccharis salicifolia
shrub
Critical fall migration fuel source Sep-Oct during southbound migration to overwintering sites
Nipomo Mesa Ceanothus
Ceanothus impressus var. nipomensis
shrub
Dense shrub provides nesting and shelter habitat on coastal mesa
Oregon Bigroot
Marah oregana
vine
Important larval host plant for checkerspot populations
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