20 Most Valuable Native Woody and Perennial Genera in terms of supporting
biodiversity in the mid-Atlantic region by Dr. Doug Tallamy
Woody Plants |
|
Perennials |
||||
Plant Genus |
Common Name |
# of Lepidoptera |
Plant Genus |
Common Name |
# of Lepidoptera |
|
|
|
species supported |
|
|
species supported |
|
Quercus |
oak |
513 |
Aster |
asters |
111 |
|
Salix |
willow |
437 |
Solidago |
goldenrod |
107 |
|
Prunus |
black cherry |
433 |
Eupatorium |
joe pye, boneset |
42 |
|
Acer |
maple |
285 |
Carex |
sedges |
36 |
|
Betula |
birch |
413 |
Ipomoca |
morning glory |
35 |
|
Populus |
poplar |
361 |
Lupinus |
lupine |
33 |
|
Vaccinium |
blueberry |
257 |
Lonicera |
honeysuckle |
32 |
|
Malus |
crabapple |
299 |
Viola |
violets |
22 |
|
Ulmus |
elm |
190 |
Geranium |
geraniums |
18 |
|
Alnus |
alder |
255 |
Rudbeckia |
black-eyed susan |
16 |
|
Carya |
hickory |
199 |
Oenothera |
evening primrose |
15 |
|
Tilia |
basswood |
140 |
Iris |
iris |
14 |
|
Pinus |
pine |
204 |
Asclepias |
milkweed |
12 |
|
Crataegus |
hawthorn |
159 |
Penstemon |
beardtongue |
8 |
|
Fraxinus |
ash |
143 |
Verbena |
verbena |
8 |
|
Picea |
spruce |
150 |
Phlox |
phlox |
6 |
|
Rosa |
filbert |
131 |
Monarda |
bee balm |
6 |
|
Fagus |
beech |
126 |
Veronica |
veronica |
6 |
|
Juglans |
walnut |
125 |
Schizachyrium |
little bluestem |
6 |
|
Castanea |
chestnut |
125 |
Lobelia |
cardinal flower |
4 |
For full details read Doug Tallamy's website info on Lepidopteran Use of Native & Alien Ornamental Plants. At the site read the Instructions then download the material.
In November 2007 Doug Tallamy's book, Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens was published by Timber Press. Beautiful photos, a must read for all gardeners. In April 2009 an updated and revised version was printed, Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants