The Red and Fierce Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is a deciduous tree found in eastern United States, west to Texas and is perhaps one of the most common trees due to fire suppression. The genus, Acer, is a host…
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Introduction Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a deciduous tree native to the mid-western and eastern United States, but has been planted extensively throughout. It is a host plant for one butterfly and two moths. The…
Oval-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias ovalifolia), a Comprehensive Guide in 10 Sections
Introduction Oval-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias ovalifolia) is a herbaceous perennial found in the northern parts of the midwest United States and Canada from British Columbia to Ontario. This plant grows in prairies, open woods, and roadsides…
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a Comprehensive Guide in 9 Sections
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a herbaceous perennial vine that grows in a variety of habitats including fields, woods, gardens, fencerows, and disturbed areas. It is the host plant for the Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth…
Western Sand Milkweed (Asclepias arenaria), a Comprehensive Guide in 9 Sections
How does a specialist perennial leverage a deep, woody rhizomatous architecture and densely tomentose, light-reflective foliage to dominate the shifting, nutrient-starved eolian sand dunes of the Great Plains? Dive into our comprehensive, 9-section ecological analysis…
The Magnificent Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in places with full sun or part shade. It is the host plant for three species of butterflies and a nectar source for other insects…
The Wet-Footed Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), a Sustaining and Tasty Shrub for Moths
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a shrub that grows on the shores of lakes, ponds, streams and in swamps. It is the host plant for three species of moths and a nectar source for other insects…
Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta)
Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in open areas such as meadows, fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas that are dry. It is the host plant for two species of butterflies and…
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in open areas such as fields, woodlands, and roadsides that are mesic to dry. It is the host plant for two species of butterflies, two…